There was a time when parents thought dealing with sex, drugs, and rock & roll was tough, but today’s parents have to deal with the dangers of a “virtual” world; a world of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, sexting, Internet addiction, exposure to porn and other inappropriate online content. In fact, wisely managing children’s exposure to the Internet is the parenting and educational issue of our decade. Sex, Drugs ‘n Facebook (Hunter House Publishers) by Dr. Megan Moreno not only helps parents understand the problem, it provides solutions. It is an informative and resourceful guide to raising cybersensible kids by (a) teaching them balance, and (b) setting firm boundaries when it comes to Internet and social media use.

Backed by detailed research and funded by a National Institute of Health grant, Dr. Moreno’s book provides a toolkit for adults teaching young people how to avoid the dangers of the Internet while taking advantage of its potential. Written with the collaboration of teens and college-age students and filled with their real stories and case histories, the book also takes into account the experiences and concerns of young people.

Whether readers are parents, educators, or concerned relatives, this guide shows them how to have productive conversations with young people on the online issues they are facing. Age-specific recommendations allow parents, teachers and other concerned adults to tailor the advice to fit children of any age. The book is full of “research call-outs” that summarize recent studies, including tips for both parents or teachers, and a section on how to adapt the information for teaching groups or creating a curriculum.

Surveys show that about 50% of our nation’s youth have experienced some form of cyber bullying, and 10 to 20% experience it regularly. Sex, Drugs ‘n Facebook draws much-needed attention to cyber bullying and provides children and adults with the tools necessary to fight the problem and adequately protect themselves online.

Dr. Megan Moreno is a preeminent researcher in the field of adolescent health and technology. She is an Associate Professor in the Divisions of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Washington, and a researcher at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Dr. Moreno is a fellowship director in research and leads the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team (SMAHRT), which was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the NIH to investigate social media and adolescent behavior. She has earned numerous honors, grants and awards for her research.