Internet drug dealers sell drugs to children by advertising it as candy. Kids can easily buy addictive prescription, street or over-the-counter drugs online. All they need is access to a parent’s credit card that may be stored on the computer.

Access to drugs over the Internet is a fairly new phenomenon and laws and regulations have yet to catch up with it. But even with laws in place, parents need to make sure their kids are safe from online drug dealers and sites that sell prescription drugs.

What parents should know:

You can’t depend on monitoring software to catch this.

• Drugs often arrive in unmarked packages. Don’t let your child open a mailed package without you.
• It’s not always a street drug. Many websites explain how to get high off cough medicine. Monitor your child’s Internet use by checking your computer's history.
• Follow the Beehive’s guide to keeping kids safe online.