As a parent or educator, we can play a pivotal role in equipping teens with the skills they need to effectively navigate the onlife world, especially concerning personal healthcare. Teens are inundated with online health information and resources. However, without proper digital literacy skills, they may struggle to discern accurate, trustworthy information, potentially jeopardizing their health. (1)
The internet is a vast repository of health-related information, but not all of it is reliable or accurate. In fact, some 2022 research by licenced doctors found that 83.7% of mental health advice on TikTok was misleading, and almost half was inaccurate. (2)
Teens must develop the ability to critically evaluate online sources, identify biases, and assess the credibility of health information. This involves distinguishing reputable sources, such as government health websites and established medical organizations, from unreliable ones, like personal blogs or unverified social media posts. Critical evaluation skills are crucial for teens to make informed healthcare decisions and avoid misinformation. (3)
Digital health innovations offer tremendous potential, particularly for youth and teens in remote or underserved communities. Online access to health information can be a significant benefit, providing young people with valuable resources and enabling healthcare professionals to support adolescents’ physical and mental health self-management. However, there is a paradox – while these innovations hold great promise, the very populations that could benefit most are often the ones most likely to be excluded from the onlife world due to socioeconomic barriers. (4)
By fostering good digital literacy, we can empower teens to:
- Equip themselves with the critical thinking skills needed to evaluate healthcare options and understand the quality of care available to them to make informed healthcare decisions.
- Encourage them to actively manage their health and well-being through informed decision-making thus taking control of their health.
- Safeguard their health information online, ensuring the privacy and security of their personal health information remains secure and private.
- Guide them to reliable resources for support that promote positive emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.
The importance of digital literacy in personal healthcare for teens cannot be overstated. As parents and educators, we are in a unique position to guide teens in developing the critical skills necessary to navigate the online world safely and effectively. By equipping them with the ability to evaluate health information critically, recognize credible sources, and safeguard their personal health data, we can empower them to make informed decisions about their health.
Digital health innovations offer immense benefits, especially for those in underserved communities, yet they also highlight the need for greater digital inclusivity. By fostering digital literacy, we can ensure that all teens, regardless of their socio-economic background, can take control of their health and well-being, access reliable support resources, and thrive emotionally, psychologically, physically, and socially in today’s onlife world.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Feelings, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Technology vs No Technology!
References:
1/ https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13599-7
3/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/f-a-c-t-s-your-guide-to-smarter-fact-checking-online/
