I think the concept should be taught even earlier than that. Studies have shown kids start figuring out how things work on their bodies when they are toddlers.

It's a really, really fine line though. There's a difference between saying it isn't shameful and openly encouraging it (that's just downright creepy for a parent to do). I think most people don't know where that line is for themselves so it becomes awkward and they just avoid it altogether.

I definitely think masturbation should be covered in health classes, and I agree with Stormy; there is a difference between demystifying it and promoting it. I know when I was in high school health class, it was just a little blurb in our textbook that the teacher did not want to discuss.
The thing that makes me the most upset, though, is that they do not teach anything about the clitoris. As a curious high schooler, I thought masturbation was only possible vaginally, and while I did love learning about my vagina, I was under the assumption that the reason why I did not feel any pleasure through masturbation was because I did not have a man to "give" me an orgasm. It wasn't until I took an elective anatomy and physiology class as a senior that I found out about the clitoris, and it changed my life forever. I'm not even kidding. It encouraged me to question why the patriarchal system would keep the clitoris, an organ that is designed purely for pleasure, such a secret. I realized it had to do with power. Keeping young adults in the dark about being able to pleasure yourself would, ideally, make them seek out a partner to "give" them the sexual pleasure they desired and thus encourage the production of babies. Unfortunately, it also gives young adults the idea that the only way they can achieve sexual pleasure or learn about themselves sexually is by actually having sex, which can sometimes end in disaster.

TL;DR Masturbation, especially female masturbation, should not be swept under the rug and ignored, because it's a normal human function. Kids are going to have questions about their self-sexuality that, if you don't answer, they might seek out on their own anyhow through risky means.

Yes, I think so. I imagine that many teenagers experiment using household items as sex toys, which isn't always safe. I think covering the acquisition of body safe sex toys, the importance of lubricant and methods (external/internal - in particular, the clitoris!) would be beneficial. The importance of masturbation for sexual self-discovery should be emphasized (how can you tell someone what feels good if you don't know, after all?). I imagine a lot of parents would consider this "radical", however.

I think so, when I was around 9 we had a cience teacher who talked a bit about it when he was talking about sex and reproduction and actually encouraged the studentes to masturbate both boys and girls so they could learn about their bodies lol Of course everyone thought it was weird. When I changed school boys and girls had a separated mini class to talk about sexuality, but at last in our part there's wasn't much about it. The teacher only talked about mestruation and never about sex, much less masturbation.

I know that when I was younger I masturbated without knowing what I was doing, and only found out talking and reading about the subject when I was 16. I never used household items but can't speak about others people. To be honest I think it would be nice to have a place to learn the necessary information but also it would have to be a good teacher, that not only wouldn't be bothered by the subject but that could make the students loose their shame to talk about it.

I find it baffling why society in general has such a difficult time just engaging in reasonable and sane discussions about sex, it's something (almost) all of us will engage in and a pretty integral part of the human experience.

I am a firm believer that masturbation should be openly discussed and taught within a school sex-ed setting. It's arguably the safest form of sexual exploration and outside of more conservative religious circles generally regarded as perfectly healthy, normal, and even important. Kids are going to figure out and explore themselves and what feels good anyway, so demystifying the whole things, explaining motives, anatomy, and good practice is (I think) pretty important. I know I certainly won't hesitate to share things like the Good Vibes Guide to Sex with my kid(s) once they are old enough to start talking about this stuff.

it's best to let teens know that sex and celibacy are not the only options.

I believe it should. I mean its a good alternative to sex.

Other. I guess it could go either way. I mean, it's something I (and I'm assuming most kids/teens) figured out on my own.

I think it should. It should be objective. And not take either side. But it should be taught.

No, I don't think so.

I think it would be weird, I figured it out fine on my own.