Another Reason To Know Where Your Kids Are Visiting

Hey folks,


Happy "hump" day. As far as politics go today, nothing really new or unpredictable. No agreement between world powers on Nuclear Sanctions on Iran because of Russia and China. Gates WILL be sworn in as Defense Secretary. We are not leaving Iraq until the job is done.




So let’s talk about this. Another reason you NEED to know where your kids are visiting online.




Now for years we have been worried about this. Kids over eating and eating the wrong kinds of food. We are the most overweight nation in the world. The phrase, "Fat lazy Americans" has some truth to it. So it goes to figure that we are in constant search for ways to slim down. However, there is a dark side to this.

We as adults understand that the "perfect body" does not come in a bottle or the shape of a pill. We understand that for all the fads out there, there is STILL only ONE truly proven method. Eat less, and exercise. But our kids?

This is pretty scary if you think about it. According to the AFP,

"Websites are glamorizing anorexia and bulimia and teaching new techniques to youths with the potentially deadly eating disorders, according to a US study published.

Researchers at Stanford University's school of medicine and children's hospital in Silicon Valley found that even websites dedicated to fighting the disorders were mined for ways to reinforce the sickness.

"Parents and physicians need to realize that the Internet is essentially an unmonitored media forum," said Rebecka Peebles, an adolescent eating disorder specialist at Stanford and lead author of the study."

This is why you MUST know where the are going when they log on. She said.

"It's just not possible to completely control the content of an interactive site."

This is really sick folks,

"Pro eating-disorder websites have gained popularity in recent years, despite efforts to shut them down.

Visitors create communities around disorders such as shunning food or binging and purging, sometimes promoting the behavior as a lifestyle choice.

Chat rooms and other interactive forums often refer to anorexia as "Ana" and bulimia as "Mia." Some websites highlight extremely thin models as role models for "thinspiration."

Anorexia, intentional and extreme weight loss, and bulimia, binge eating, are most common in industrial societies among teen girls and young women, affecting between one and two percent of the female population."

According to this article, having a 15 year old Niece, I know this to be true,

"With between 50 and 90 percent of teens accessing the Internet at home on average of five hours per week, the study authors wrote, it is "critical that the impact of these Web sites be better understood.""

I would have to say most likely a lot MORE than 5 hours a week. There are so many great and positive attributes to the Internet. But there are just as many dangers out there. Now we need to worry about our kids being encouraged to be sick? Here is another scary fact.

"Of the 106 parents surveyed for the study, half were aware of pro-eating disorder websites, but only 28 percent had discussed them with their children and even fewer limited time their children spent online."

Is this really a big deal? It can kill your kids.

"Last month, a 21-year-old Brazilian model died of anorexia."

Her name was Ana Carolina Reston. I wonder if her Mother thinks it was worth it? Or if you could ask Ana, what do you think she would say? Being healthy is one thing. Killing yourself to be thin is completely different. Sometimes we forget, our kids are kids. They do not always know what is best. Even for themselves. Know where they are going, and how they are talking to. You have enough to worry about outside the home. At home, you have complete control.

Peter

Sources;
AFP-"Websites teach anorexics, bulimics dangerous methods"
CNN-"Model dies of anorexia complications"
Rader-"Bulimia Nervosa"
Milestones- Anorexia Treatment