Citation

Vargas K. J. Consum. Health Internet 2005; 9(3): 15-23.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J381v09n03_02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The leading causes of death for adolescents-accidents, homicide, and suicide-often stem from behaviors and decisions they have made. Although looking for help with these health-related decisions, teenagers find it difficult talking to doctors because of their perceived lack of availability, barriers set up by the appointment process, fear that information will get back to their parents, and embarrassment. Teenagers turn to the Internet, chat rooms, and bulletin boards for information, but are concerned about issues of quality of information and confidentiality. Librarians have established means of working with teens to create Web sites and programs that enable them to help teenagers find health information. This paper reviews the health problems that teenagers face, the difficulty in finding information on them, and how librarians can develop Web-based sites to help meet this need. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Internet; Adolescent health; Teenagers; Health information