Module 13 · Health & safety

Your rights & privacy

What young people can get on their own in Washington, and browsing privately. 6 min · 3 lessons

Lesson 1

What you can get on your own

Any age
Birth controlPrescription and over-the-counter methods.
Any age
Pregnancy testing & prenatal careCare during a pregnancy.
14+
STI & HIV testing and treatmentIncluding medicine to prevent HIV (PrEP and PEP).
13+
Mental health counselingOutpatient care.
13+
Substance use treatmentOutpatient care.

When you consent to your own care, you control who sees those health records.

Lesson 2

Two things to know

If you’re on a parent’s insurance, the insurer may mail a statement to the policyholder. Apple Health doesn’t send these for teens 13 to 18, and Washington’s Insurance Commissioner has a form to ask any insurer to send your information somewhere else. And a clinician may need to involve others if someone is hurting you, if you might hurt yourself or someone else, or if a partner is much older than you.

Lesson 3

Browsing privately

Use a private or incognito window, so this site doesn’t show up in your browser history.
The Quick exit button, or pressing Esc twice, jumps straight to Google. It can’t erase your history, so clear it afterward if someone else uses your device.
If you think someone checks your phone or email, a library computer may be a safer place to look things up.
When you write to us, use an email address only you can open.

Check yourself

Myth or fact?

In Washington, a 14-year-old can get STI testing without a parent’s permission.

Fact. Anyone 14 or older can get STI and HIV testing and treatment on their own.

The Quick exit button erases your browser history.

Myth. It jumps straight to Google, but it can’t erase your history. Use a private window, or clear your history afterward.

Questions people ask

Asked and answered.

Will anyone find out if I ask OISHA a question?

We only use what you send to reply to you, and we don’t share your questions. If you’re on a shared phone or computer, see browsing privately above.

Still have a question?

Ask privately