Digital Health Literacy and Young People: A Network of Mutual Influences

Abstract

Today’s young people were born and raised in a digitally dominated world, therefore they quickly and intuitively navigate the web, which brings them undeniable advantages in the search for health information, but at the same time posing some risks. The authors conducted a narrative review of Portuguese and international scientific publications using the MeSH terms [Health literacy], [digital], [young people], [education] and [social media]. Among the various solutions presented, and considering the ease and speed to which young people are accustomed to when accessing digital information, the paths to be taken towards safe and effective navigation are related to solutions that promote a greater health literacy (HL). To bet on the promotion of HL in the younger generations is to invest in the improvement of their health and well-being, considering the ACCESS Young people are more likely to search and have access to health information through the digital environment, therefore it is important to reach them by means of interactive and appealing online content (e.g. short videos); COMPREHENSION, it is essential to disseminate reliable information and to involve their close social networks, including parents/legal guardians, social workers, teachers, among other community members; USE ensuring a correct and responsible use of health resources requires involving young people in the process of creating HL programs since its early steps. Results show that the digital promotion of HL as a valuable tool to reach younger generations, who are avid consumers of social media and many other online platforms.

Citation

Vaz de Almeida, C., Santos, D.F. and Martins, P. (2023), "Digital Health Literacy and Young People: A Network of Mutual Influences", Vaz de Almeida, C. and Lytras, M.D. (Ed.) Technology-Enhanced Healthcare Education: Transformative Learning for Patient-centric Health (Emerald Studies in Higher Education, Innovation and Technology), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 83-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-598-920231007