Handwritten question: Is it weird for a 16 year old and an 18 year old to have sex?
A real question from a young person, submitted anonymously.

Is it weird for a 16 year old and an 18 year old to have sex?

Sex

No. A two-year age gap is not unusual, and legally there's no issue. Both people are over the , which is 16 in the UK.

A lot of 16-year-olds and 18-year-olds are in similar places in life. They might be at the same school or college, share friend groups, and be at a similar stage of growing up. A two-year gap at that age is pretty normal.

The only time it would be a legal issue is if the 18-year-old is in a over the 16-year-old, like a teacher, coach, or care worker. In that case, different rules apply regardless of the age of .

No, it is not weird. A two year age gap is normal. Both people are over the , which is 16.

A lot of 16 year olds and 18 year olds are in similar places in life. They might go to the same school or college and share the same friends.

The only time it would be a legal problem is if the 18 year old is in a over the 16 year old, like a teacher or coach. In that case, different rules apply.

Need to talk to someone?