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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 2/2015

01-02-2015 | Original Article

Understanding children: a qualitative study on health assets of the Internet in Spain

Authors: Mariano Hernán-García, Blanca Botello-Díaz, Jorge Marcos-Marcos, Silvia Toro-Cárdenas, Eugenia Gil-García

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

Objectives

This research was designed to explore the opinions held by primary school pupils about the Internet as a source of assets for health and well-being.

Methods

A qualitative study was carried out based on 8 focus groups comprising 64 pupils from 8 primary schools in Spain.

Results

Our findings describe the Internet as a tool for learning, communication, fun and health care. In addition, they reveal how children understand influences on health and well-being in relation to their view of the Internet. The results are discussed in terms of the public-health implications of digital literacy, as well as its connection to well-being, especially in relation to health assets.

Conclusions

The Internet is an important resource for children’s health and well-being, which, through learning, communication, fun and health care, encourages them to make use of it. Digital and health literacy constitutes the foundation required for browsing the Internet in a positive way, as identified by the children interviewed in this study, and especially in relation to the health assets that the Internet can contain.
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Metadata
Title
Understanding children: a qualitative study on health assets of the Internet in Spain
Authors
Mariano Hernán-García
Blanca Botello-Díaz
Jorge Marcos-Marcos
Silvia Toro-Cárdenas
Eugenia Gil-García
Publication date
01-02-2015
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0648-0

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Acknowledgement to Reviewers

Acknowledgement to Reviewers 2014