Lupton D. (2021). Young people’s use of digital health technologies in the global north: Narrative review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 23(1): e18286. doi: 10.2196/18286
This narrative review examines the literature from 2010 to present on use of digital health technologies among young people ages 5-30 in the global north (North America, Western Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand). The author searched the Google Scholar database using keyword search terms (e.g. children, adolescents, digital health, social media, apps, wearable devices, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter) to identify relevant publications. Young people are active users of newer digital health technologies (e.g., apps, self-tracking wearables) but prefer using older technologies (e.g. websites, search engines) to find health information. This age group looks to trusted adults such as parents and medical providers to help them process information found online and for alternative sources of information. Young people use platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to create supportive online communities for health (e.g., mindfulness, healthy eating, physical fitness) and recovery (e.g. depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation). Snapchat and TikTok (photo- and video-sharing apps) have become two of the most popular youth platforms for creating and sharing health content. Risks of social media use include distorted body image through use of self-tracking technologies and comparison to social media influencers (microcelebrity tastemakers). Data hacks, breaches, and leaks are common in digital health technologies, yet few studies have asked young people about their attitudes and practices around health data privacy and security. Future research could examine how young people from different age groups and sociodemographic backgrounds use and share health resources on social media. The accuracy and reliability of health content on social media resources and the role of social media influencers also merit further research.