There’s a lot of talk here blaming the younger generation for the spread of stis. But it would be interesting to see some stats behind it. From what I’ve seen of the education system, heard from younger people and also what I’ve heard from various older people (indeed from people of all different ages) I’d say that youngsters are way more clued up than a lot of the older generation.
Youngsters in general seem a lot more open with way less sexual hang ups and so the previous awkwardness and taboo of sex isn’t such a barrier to seeking advice and sharing information.
That being said, I’d expect that the quantity of sexual encounters between different people is higher amongst the younger generation (being “freer” and less tied down in marriage), so the absolute number of sexual encounters is more and hence, if someone has an infection, the infection rate might be higher.