One million kids view drug use videos on the Internet! Yours?
I’ve noticed a bit of a trend over the past several months. In talking with parents, and especially folks in the news media who are parents, they seem to be more and more attuned to issues like online predators and sexual content on the web that place their kids at risk. They also see all the spam their own in-boxes hawking prescription drugs online. They know talking with their kids about all this is important.
When I raise the issue of also guarding against their kids being exposed to online drug content, pro-drug use websites and literally instructive “how to” videos on binge drinking and drug use that popping up across the net, there is a level of disbelief that’s remarkable. Sex they know. Bad guys they get. Yet the idea that there are people out there promoting drug abuse to their kids, showing them how in exacting detail, celebrating being wrecked, just seems a degree too far out. “That CAN’T be possible!” “That CAN’T be legal?” “WHO would be that stupid?” Sorry…
Nielsen Online recently did a study that looked at video streams viewed online by a sample of 13 to 18 year olds across the country. In June 2008 alone, nearly one million teens viewed online videos promoting alcohol and drug use. The folks at the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland sum up the data this way, “Of the 1.2 million substance-related videos viewed by teens, 39% portrayed explicit use of alcohol or other drugs and/or intoxication. In addition, the majority (85%) of these videos had comments posted that promoted substance use. The survey also found that more than one-third (35%) of viewers of all substance-related videos were younger than 16, and females were more likely than males to watch these videos (57% vs. 43%).”
So, as a parent or caring adult, what do we do? We have to realize that for all of the greatness and richness brought to our lives via the web, there is also the potential for harm. Practical tips include: 1) Be clear and consistent with your kids about what online content is out of bounds. 2) Be familiar with the digital devices and web tools your kids use. 3) Keep computers in common areas of your home — family room or other central location — and limit the time your kids spend online. 4) Visit your teen’s personal blog, web site, favorite social networking sites or other postings. 5) Pay attention to the history, cookies and other tracking on your computer.
These are by no means all of the potential courses a parent can take, but the essential fact is that your child can be and is exposed to an extraordinary volume of pro-drinking, pro-drugging content on the web. Monitoring your child plays a key role. We need to both know and accept this is happening right now. With that knowledge we can each begin to take our own steps to safeguard our children.
What are your tips for protecting kids from dangerous online content?
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It’s amazing. In these days, parents need pay more attention on their kids, because so many distractions and dangerous things.
Cana, you probably don’t realize how right you are when you state that parents need to pay more attention. As a clinical psychologist, I see parents giving kids cell phones and Internet access without understanding the powerfully negative potential it has. Kids have access to the world with layers of insulated privacy from their parents. Technology is a privilege-not a right-and it should be given to kids because it is also powerfully beneficial as well. But, give it to them with parameters and limits. And take it away if it is abused. Close parental monitoring is also in order.
Speaking of cell phones… many now have internet access, too. And, then there is the unsupervised computer at a friend’s house where the parents work outside the home and the babysitter is absorbed in getting dinner ready. I think it’s important to share this email with the parents of our children’s friends.
I think the tips Steve provided are excellent — I would especially echo numbers 4 and 5.