JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In our digitally driven age it is no surprise that children are becoming regular users of information and communication devices such as tablets, smartphones, and social media. Although a growing body of literature continues to investigate children’s use of these digital devices, attention to elements of children’s digital health literacy is limited. Digital health literacy, a more recent term for eHealth literacy, is the combination of diverse literacies and proficiencies needed to access and critically evaluate information within Web 1.0 and 2.0 contexts. A fundamental component of digital health literacy is computer literacy which involves context-specific elements such as a user’s distribution of personal information and exercise of privacy settings.

Objective:

The objective of this pilot study was to explore children’s computer literacy practices through their social media use.

Methods:

The study used a cross sectional survey with 42 young children aged six to 10 years who were enrolled in an after-school health promotion program in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Results:

Results indicated that young children share their personal information online through social media and download applications to the digital devices they use without consistent parental supervision or adult (teacher) oversight.

Conclusions:

In order to support young children’s self-directed exploration and use of social media, deeper examination of computer literacy, among other aspects of digital health literacy, is warranted so parents, educators, and researchers alike can respect and support children’s learning and wellbeing as independent users of digital devices.