Dr Anthea Rhodes, RCH Paediatrician and Director, Australian Child Health Poll

With endless information literally at our fingertips, it is not surprising that the majority of Australian parents are going online for child health information. But many parents find Dr Google creates more stress and anxiety than relief or help. It seems that you’re only ever two clicks away from a serious or potentially life-threatening illness. Next thing you know, you’re off to the emergency department for an urgent second opinion.

The most recent Australian Child Health Poll found that over 60% of Australian parents had used online sources for health advice about their kids in the last six months. It also showed that over a third did not trust the information they found at all.

There are countless websites, blogs and online forums providing health-related information. Some provide reliable information. Some do not. It’s a bit like turning up in a new city and wondering where to eat. You know there are some good quality restaurants out there, but how do you find them?

Here are some tips to help you navigate the net for trustworthy child health information:

• Look for information about who sponsors or hosts the website.

  Websites hosted by well-known health organisations, universities and hospitals are more likely to be trustworthy. These details may be found under the heading “about us”. Look for “.gov” “.edu” or “.org” in the web address.

• Avoid websites that contains advertisements or are trying to sell you something.

  These are more likely to be commercial or profit-based. They may have good information, but the content may be biased and untrustworthy.

• Check how old the content is.

  Even trusted sites may have out-of-date information. The date can usually be found on the homepage, or at the bottom of an individual page.

• Look for the contact information on the site.

  You should be able to reach the site owner or sponsor by email, phone or mailing address. Be wary of sites with no contact details for the owner.

• Beware of chatrooms and discussion groups.

  Whilst this can be a great way to connect with other parents sharing similar experiences, be aware that the content in these forums is usually not regulated or reviewed and may not come from medical experts.

• Spend some time finding trustworthy online sites when your child is well.

  We’ve listed some trustworthy useful links here. When you’ve found a site you trust, save the link or download the app so that it is easy to find the reliable site when you need it later on. It is hard to think clearly in the middle of the night when your child is sick. This will help you avoid a panicked google search!

• Talk to your doctor about the health information you have found online.

  It can be helpful to save a link or screen shot, or print out the articles and bring them to your appointment to talk about. If you have a lot of information to discuss consider booking a longer appointment. Ask your family doctor which websites they recommend for child health information.

It is great that so many parents are seeking information to help manage their child’s health. But remember that it is important not to use online health information to self-diagnose or self-medicate for yourself or your children. Online health information can never replace a visit to a qualified health care practitioner.

Have you used online sources for advice and information about your child’s health? Share your experiences and tips below.