Nearly nine out of 10 teens ages 12 to 17 have Internet access, according to a survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the AP/Washington Post

(www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/27/AR2005072701665.html) reports (Irvine, AP/Washington Post, 7/27). The report found that 31% of teens, or six million people, go online to find health information - a 47% growth since 2000.

Overall, 22% of teens surveyed said they use the Internet to look for information about a health topic that is difficult to discuss, such as drug use, sexual health or depression. However, girls were more likely than boys to research hard-to-discuss topics, with 27% of girls surveyed responding that they went online for such information, compared with 18% of boys. Also, 37% of girls said they used the Internet to find health, dieting or fitness information, compared with 26% of boys.

According to the report, teenage girls ages 15 to 17 are the most likely to use the Internet for activities such as e-mail, text messaging, and seeking health and religion information. Also, 34% of girls ages 15 to 17 are likely to go online to seek information about difficult health topics, compared with 18% of boys in the same age category. Only 19% of girls and 18% of boys ages 12 to 14 said they would research difficult health information online ("Teens and Technology," 7/27).

The phone survey of 1,100 teens was completed in late 2004 (AP/Washington Post, 7/27).