Know! what your child may be doing while online. 

• A survey of youth by the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America found that 2% had purchased alcohol online.
• 89% of prescription drug websites do not require a prescription to purchase controlled substances.[iii] 
• A simple Google search yields step-by-step instructions for “how to get high” on social network sites that are popular with youth.

Know! to take precautions:[iv]

• Limit your child’s time spent online, and put computers in a common area of the house so you can more easily monitor use.
• Be clear and consistent about what is off limits — including Web sites, chat rooms, games, blogs, or certain music downloads — and how to handle information promoting alcohol and drugs. Discuss consequences for breaking the rules.
• Visit your child’s website or personal blog, or the social networking sites they visit.
• Monitor your child’s e-mails and Instant Messaging.
• Remind your child that the Internet is public space. Talk to your child about not posting personally identifiable information or regrettable pictures/videos and information.
• If you suspect, go the extra mile. Some technologies enable you to track the exact Web pages, blogs and message boards that your child visits. Many of these same products have filtering to block inappropriate content.

More information about raising your child to be substance-free is available at www.HelpThemKnow.com.