We could talk forever about the best way to "protect" children from sex, but I think we would do much better to change how we think of sex:

Is sex, in itself, something that children need to be protected from?

Of course there are consequences of sex that children need to be protected from: Sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, physical damage, hurt feelings, social condemnation.

But in every other part of life we teach children how to participate in activities safely: When you are riding a bicycle obey traffic laws and avoid busy streets, if using hand brakes always apply the brake to the rear wheel first, always wear good shoes because if the brakes fail you will need to use your feet; never point the rifle at anything that you mind getting shot, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, keep your hands off the rifle if anyone is down range, every weapon is loaded even if it's not; never swim without a buddy, never go swimming in an area that hasn't been checked to be safe, NEVER dive into water if you aren't SURE about the depth, beware of rip currents, beware of moving water, don't go swimming in polluted waters.

But with sex - an activity that is absolutely essential to human survival - we simply tell children: don't do it, don't even think about it until you're an adult - at which point you will magically become competent.

That ... is insane.

Our society would be much better off if we could come to terms with sex, and start teaching children how to deal with sex wisely and safely.