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Teens, Health and Technology: A National Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Ellen Wartella

    (Department of Communication, Northwestern University, USA)

  • Vicky Rideout

    (VJR Consulting, USA)

  • Heather Montague

    (Department of Communication, Northwestern University, USA)

  • Leanne Beaudoin-Ryan

    (Department of Communication, Northwestern University, USA)

  • Alexis Lauricella

    (Department of Communication, Northwestern University, USA)

Abstract

In the age of digital technology, as teens seem to be constantly connected online, via social media, and through mobile applications, it is no surprise that they increasingly turn to digital media to answer their health questions. This study is the first of its kind to survey a large, nationally-representative sample of teens to investigate how they use the newest digital technologies, including mobile apps, social networking sites, electronic gaming and wearable devices, to explore health topics. The survey covered the types of health topics teens most frequently search for, which technologies they are most likely to use and how they use them, and whether they report having changed their behaviors due to digital health information. In addition, this survey explores how the digital divide continues to impact adolescents. Results of this study indicate that teens are concerned about many health issues, ranging from fitness, sexual activity, drugs, hygiene as well as mental health and stress. As teens virtually always have a digital device at their fingertips, it is clear that public health interventions and informational campaigns must be tailored to reflect the ways that teens currently navigate digital health information and the health challenges that concern them most.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellen Wartella & Vicky Rideout & Heather Montague & Leanne Beaudoin-Ryan & Alexis Lauricella, 2016. "Teens, Health and Technology: A National Survey," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 13-23.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:4:y:2016:i:3:p:13-23
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Levine, D. & McCright, J. & Dobkin, L. & Woodruff, A.J. & Klausner, J.D., 2008. "SEXINFO: A sexual health text messaging service for San Francisco youth," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(3), pages 393-395.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mona Mohammed Al-Bisher & Hala Hazam Al-Otaibi, 2022. "Eating Concerns Associated with Nutritional Information Obtained from Social Media among Saudi Young Females: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Daniel Romer, 2016. "Introduction to the Issue “Adolescents in the Digital Age: Effects on Health and Development”," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 1-3.
    3. Daniel Romer & Michael Rich, 2016. "Afterword to the Issue “Adolescents in the Digital Age: Effects on Health and Development”," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 90-94.
    4. Victoria A. Goodyear & Kathleen M. Armour, 2018. "Young People’s Perspectives on and Experiences of Health-Related Social Media, Apps, and Wearable Health Devices," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Trevor Bopp & Joshua D. Vadeboncoeur & Michael Stellefson & Melissa Weinsz, 2019. "Moving Beyond the Gym: A Content Analysis of YouTube as an Information Resource for Physical Literacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Amaresh Panda & Sanjay Mohapatra, 2021. "Online Healthcare Practices and Associated Stakeholders: Review of Literature for Future Research Agenda," Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, , vol. 46(2), pages 71-85, June.
    7. Tafadzwa Mindu & Innocent Tinashe Mutero & Winnie Baphumelele Ngcobo & Rosemary Musesengwa & Moses John Chimbari, 2023. "Digital Mental Health Interventions for Young People in Rural South Africa: Prospects and Challenges for Implementation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.
    8. Anne-Kathrin M. Loer & Olga Maria Domanska & Ronny Kuhnert & Robin Houben & Stefan Albrecht & Susanne Jordan, 2020. "Online Survey for the Assessment of Generic Health Literacy among Adolescents in Germany (GeKoJu): Study Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, February.
    9. Anne-Kathrin M. Loer & Olga M. Domanska & Christiane Stock & Susanne Jordan, 2020. "Subjective Generic Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors among Adolescents: Results of a Population-Based Online Survey in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-23, November.
    10. Ibrahim Niankara & Muhammad Noor Al adwan & Aminata Niankara, 2020. "The Role of Digital Media in Shaping Youth Planetary Health Interests in the Global Economy," JOItmC, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-26, July.
    11. Olga Maria Domanska & Torsten Michael Bollweg & Anne-Kathrin Loer & Christine Holmberg & Liane Schenk & Susanne Jordan, 2020. "Development and Psychometric Properties of a Questionnaire Assessing Self-Reported Generic Health Literacy in Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-26, April.
    12. Erin Kasson & Melissa M. Vázquez & Christine Doroshenko & Ellen E. Fitzsimmons-Craft & Denise E. Wilfley & C. Barr Taylor & Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, 2021. "Exploring Social Media Recruitment Strategies and Preliminary Acceptability of an mHealth Tool for Teens with Eating Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-16, July.
    13. Sophie Curtis & Pinar Thorn & Alison McRoberts & Sarah Hetrick & Simon Rice & Jo Robinson, 2018. "Caring for Young People Who Self-Harm: A Review of Perspectives from Families and Young People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, May.
    14. Mariusz Duplaga, 2020. "The Use of Fitness Influencers’ Websites by Young Adult Women: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, September.
    15. Cahyono, Edi Dwi, 2023. "Instagram adoption for local food transactions: A research framework," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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