Young people's experiences of online health information

Abstract

Only limited literature explores the significance of the internet as a medium for adolescents to access health information, and little is known of the adolescents' experience within this. Aim: To gain a better understanding of the adolescents' experiences of using the internet to access health information. Methods: A small scale qualitative study, using a grounded theory approach using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with sixth form adolescents in Hertfordshire, UK, from May to July 2009, who had used the internet to access health information. Results: 14 initial key emergent categories were consolidated and clustered into 4 themes: internet use; skills; internet strengths and limitations and what adolescents want from the internet. Conclusions: Health professionals are perhaps the most obvious and authoritative source of health information for adolescents who require informational support, social network support, emotional support and esteem support. Health information resources need to be developed that reflect these. Producing internet health information resources that meet the wants identified in this study would empower adolescents to take on responsibility for their own health, which they can build on and develop as future purveyors of health services. The development of accurate and adolescent-friendly websites can best be achieved by directly involving them in creating resources – as they know what they want.