JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In 2020 and 2021, people increasingly used the Internet to connect socially and for work. However, people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) experience challenges in using social media and rehabilitation professionals have reported feeling underprepared to support them in its use. To date, no review of social media skills training has been conducted.

Objective:

This scoping review aimed to examine: (a) research on interventions addressing social media skills and safety, with a focus on people living with health conditions, (b) free online resources for the general public in social media skills training; and (c) currently available online support groups for people with ABI.

Methods:

An integrative scoping review was conducted, with a systematic search strategy applied across multiple academic databases, Google Scholar, Google, and Facebook. Data collected was critically appraised and synthesised to describe key content and features of social media training resources.

Results:

The review identified 47 peer-reviewed academic articles, 48 social media training websites, and 120 online support groups for people with ABI. A key recommendation was interactive training with practical components addressing online safety, and how to use platforms and connect with others. However, there were no social media training resources identified that catered for people with ABI.

Conclusions:

Training resources to support people with ABI to use social media safely are limited. Key content to be addressed and features to be incorporated into online social media training were determined, including the need for interactive training that is co-designed, safe, and incorporates practical components that support people with ABI. These findings can be used to inform development of online evidence-based support for people with an ABI who may be vulnerable when participating in social media. Clinical Trial: N/A.