Helping Students to Appropriate Medical Information

Although our students seem to know their way around the Net, they often need help with online resources related to medical issues. Teachers and counselors should encourage students move beyond word searches and chatting with online friends for this type of information by introducing them to sites like KidsHealth, TeenHealth, Mayoclinic, WebMd, Planned Parenthood, and Health.  At the Mayo Clinic site, topics such as teen depression, drug abuse, smoking, sex, pregnancy, sleep, diets, injuries, diseases, symptoms, etc. can be explored. On Health.com, students can find facts about Internet addiction, cosmetics and health, yoga, violence, ADHD, and other answers to their questions. The Nemours Foundation provides the sites KidsHealth and TeenHealth, where information is available on the body, mind, sexual health, drugs & alcohol, fitness, suicide, staying safe, and more. Also on the Nemours sites, there are Parent Printables, pdfs featuring medical information that can be downloaded by kids, teachers and parents. WebMd tackles topics like “Hairy Solutions”, “Smart Foods”, “Begin Smart about Allergies”, and “Teen Hygiene”, which may motivate your students to check out these sites when they are looking for information.