BMJ Paediatrics Open (Oct 2021)

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

  • Christian D Mallen,
  • Joanne Smith,
  • Lisa Dikomitis,
  • Oliver G P Lawton,
  • Sarah A Lawton,
  • Joanne Protheroe

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000942
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1

Abstract

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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.