DANVILLE -- Geisinger perinatal education coordinator Megan King, RN, is a huge fan of today's newest tech gadgets. In fact, she uses text messaging and Internet chats to counsel pregnant teenagers.
And as a mother of two teenage daughters herself, King likes how students can use the Internet, DVDs and television for homework assignments. Social networking sites and blogs also allow teens and children to connect with friends in a healthy environment.
Yet King also understands the dangers that lurk in today's digital world.
One such danger was highlighted by a study in this month's Pediatrics journal. The study found that teens who watch large amounts of sexually-charged TV were more than twice as likely to be pregnant or father an out-of-wedlock baby as teens who watched very little.
King said she hopes the study sounds an alarm for parents.
"Mainstream media bombards our children with sexual messages and images," King said. "Parents need to create boundaries for their children. If they don't, the media will set those boundaries for them." Parents shouldn't despair, however. Technology can be used for "teachable moments" to give advice about important life issues, King said.
King has these tips for parents:
n Sending the occasional text or instant message to their child to check on the child's whereabouts and to let them know mom or dad is lovingly thinking about them;
n If a parent is watching a TV show with their teenager that features a sex or drug reference, use it as a starting point for a discussion about safe behavior;
n Putting the TV and computer in a family room or kitchen so parents can supervise what their children are viewing;
n Using a TV channel blocker to screen inappropriate content.
"The best deterrents to early sexual behavior and teen pregnancy are talking to children and getting and giving truthful, accurate information and modeling behavior," King said. "Technology can help parents be proactive." King moderates a chat room for pregnant teens at www.geisinger.org/teenchat from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
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