Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

Lawton, Oliver GP; Lawton, Sarah A.; Dikomitis, Lisa; Protheroe, Joanne; Smith, Joanne; Mallen, Christian

doi:10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000942

Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

Lawton, Oliver GP; Lawton, Sarah A.; Dikomitis, Lisa; Protheroe, Joanne; Smith, Joanne; Mallen, Christian

Authors

Oliver GP Lawton

Sarah Lawton s.a.lawton@keele.ac.uk

Lisa Dikomitis

Joanne Protheroe j.protheroe@keele.ac.uk

Joanne Smith

Christian Mallen c.d.mallen@keele.ac.uk

Abstract

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.</jats:p>

Acceptance Date	Jan 4, 2021
Publication Date	Feb 2, 2021
Journal	BMJ Paediatrics Open
Print ISSN	2399-9772
Publisher	BMJ Publishing Group
Pages	e000942 - e000942
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000942
Keywords	adolescent health; data collection; technology
Publisher URL	https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000942