Young People, Social Media and Health

Abstract

This chapter considers the concept of Digital Guru Media (DGM) in relation to young people's engagement with health-related social media. It outlines the types of health-related content that young people use and generate, and the forms of content that young people act on and use to inform their attitudes, knowledge and behaviours related to physical activity, diet/nutrition and body image. The dominant narratives around young people's engagement with social media are dominated by risk and the potential for negative impacts, particularly in relation to physical and mental health. The study of young people and social media has mainly been undertaken in the fields of anthropology, psychology and sociology. The narrative illustrates that Kelly has developed her knowledge and understanding of diet drinks due to the type of health-related content that was accessible to her.