Teens Online Health: Kids Score Drugs Online

In the most recent report about Internet access and controlled substances by Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, called “You’ve Got Drugs!” researchers discovered sixth graders ordering prescription medications online.  Out of 365 Web sites selling these meds, 85% do not even require a prescription.

Here are some tips if you suspect that your child is thinking about (or already engaged in) purchasing drugs online:

• Talk to your child. Explain why illegally buying medications is wrong. Give them specific consequences that will be enforced if you get wind of anything.
• Consider moving your child’s computer into a common space like the living room.
• Check the computer’s browser history, but remember that most teens are computer-savvy enough to delete this information.
• Consider going elsewhere for help (yes, like SafetyWeb) to help monitor your child’s online activities.