BodiMojo Blog

Recently I commented on a news item related to a short survey on how teens use the Internet to search for health info.  Thanks to Cindy, our Editor, we have the summary of the YouthNoise report. It gave me the chills, in that fun sort of way, on this All Hallows Day. 

I had some questions about how this sample of teens felt after they searched for health information, and the summary offers some nice quotes from youth ages 13-24 (see for yourself).  But I believe we at BodiMojo have been on to something for a while and this report at YPulse is more evidence we’re on the right track.

Here are the points from the report that I’d like to highlight—with my selection biases and all:

• Kids spend over 15 hours a week online, with the younger crowd using MySpace while the older crowd tending toward more use of Facebook.
• Most have two or more social networking profiles.
• More than half searched the Internet for mental health, sexual or general health issues.
• STD & HIV was ranked highest as a health concern, but other health areas ranked high as well, including substance use/abuse, mental health and depression, and body image and eating disorders.
• The older the respondent, the greater the concern about body image and eating disorders.
• Words that come to mind for “unhealthy teen behaviors” include (top six):

drugs
sex/STDs/pregnancy
smoking
poor eating habits
alcohol
lazy/lack of exercise

• Most seek advice from peers but acknowledge the need to get professional help.
• There are few well known youth–oriented sites focusing on mental/health/wellness issues.
• Teens stress need to publicize online health resources.
• Safety and anonymity are important.
• Must present information that is comprehensive, accurate and easily digestible.

My favorite part of the summary:

“This study points to the need for health professional to be present where youth already congregate – MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking sites – to integrate positive health norms, critical health information and in-person youth resources for youth in crisis.”

We’re with you!

– Contributed by Tara Cousineau, PhD, An Adolescent at Heart