Is the Internet teaching your kids how to get high?
There are so many things for parents to worry about when it comes to their kids and the Internet. Well, let me draw your attention to another one. Check out this Reuters story about videos on sites like MySpace that are how-to guides for getting high.
The story deals with a new study released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy that looks at drug-related videos. The study found that 5 percent of Internet teens saw at least one such video in June - the month the study was conducted. Among the content seen in these videos was footage of teens driving while getting high.
John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, says:
Parents would be horrified to think that people are sneaking into their house to encourage their kids to build a bong or to chug on beer at age 13. The fact is those people are sneaking into your house through your Internet connection on your computer.
When I hear that 5 percent of Internet-using teens saw these drug-related videos in a given month, I have to admit I’m a little surprised. I expected the number to be higher.But surely we can toss this drug thing into the larger issue of kids and the Internet.
Whenever I talk to parents, I like to ask: What sort of steps do you take to monitor your kids’ Internet activity? Do they have a computer in their room? Do you use any sort of content-blocking programs? Do you ever look at the browser history, etc.?
Tim has covered a wide range of topics, including tourism, crime, aviation and gambling, since becoming a reporter in 1990. The Oklahoma native joined the Post-Dispatch in 2007 after spending nine years in Orlando. In his spare time, he's often exploring one virtual world or another. He can be reached at tbarker@post-dispatch.com. 
The only retards out here are Jerry’s kids.