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Parental education and children's online health information seeking: Beyond the digital divide debate

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  • Zhao, Shanyang

Abstract

Research has shown that increasing numbers of teenagers are going online to find health information, but it is unclear whether there are disparities in the prevalence of online health seeking among young Internet users associated with social and economic conditions. Existing literature on Internet uses by adults indicates that low income, less educated, and minority individuals are less likely to be online health seekers. Based on the analysis of data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project for the US, this study finds that teens of low education parents are either as likely as or even more likely than teens of high education parents to seek online health information. Multiple regression analysis shows that the higher engagement in health seeking by teens of low education parents is related to a lower prevalence of parental Internet use, suggesting that some of these teens may be seeking online health information on behalf of their low education parents. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the issues of the digital divide and digital empowerment.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Shanyang, 2009. "Parental education and children's online health information seeking: Beyond the digital divide debate," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 1501-1505, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:69:y:2009:i:10:p:1501-1505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harvey, Kevin James & Brown, Brian & Crawford, Paul & Macfarlane, Aidan & McPherson, Ann, 2007. "'Am I normal?' Teenagers, sexual health and the internet," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(4), pages 771-781, August.
    2. Gray, Nicola J. & Klein, Jonathan D. & Noyce, Peter R. & Sesselberg, Tracy S. & Cantrill, Judith A., 2005. "Health information-seeking behaviour in adolescence: the place of the internet," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1467-1478, April.
    3. Kim, Jinyoung & Durden, Emily, 2007. "Socioeconomic status and age trajectories of health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(12), pages 2489-2502, December.
    4. Cotten, Shelia R & Gupta, Sipi S, 2004. "Characteristics of online and offline health information seekers and factors that discriminate between them," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(9), pages 1795-1806, November.
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    1. Grošelj, Darja & Reisdorf, Bianca C. & Petrovčič, Andraž, 2019. "Obtaining indirect internet access: An examination how reasons for internet non-use relate to proxy internet use," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(3), pages 213-224.
    2. Sonia Livingstone & Jessica Mason, 2015. "Sexual rights and sexual risks among youth online: a review of existing knowledge regarding childrenand young people’s developing sexuality in relationto new media environments," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 64567, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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