Internet and Social Media Access Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

BackgroundYouth experiencing homelessness are at a risk for a variety of adverse outcomes. Given the widespread use of the internet and social media, these new technologies may be used to address their needs and for outreach purposes. However, little is known about how this group uses these resources.ObjectiveThis study investigated how homeless adolescents use these technologies for general and health-related purposes, whether the scope of their use changes with housing status, and their interest in a website dedicated to youth experiencing homelessness.MethodsA convenience sample of youth aged 18 to 21 years was recruited from a youth-specific homeless shelter. All participants completed a 47-item survey, with 10 individuals completing a semistructured interview. Descriptive statistics, exact testing, logistic regression, and generalized estimating equation modeling was performed for quantitative data analysis. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and NVivo 10 (QSR International) was employed to facilitate double coding and thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 87 participants completed the survey with a mean age of 19.4 (SD 1.1) years. While experiencing homelessness, 56% (49/87) accessed the internet at least once a day, with 86% (75/87) accessing once a week. Access to a smartphone was associated with a 3.03 greater odds of accessing the internet and was the most frequently used device (66% of participants, 57/87). While experiencing homelessness, subjects reported a 68% decreased odds in internet access frequency (odds ratio [OR] 0.32, P<.001), 75% decreased odds in spending greater amounts of time on the internet (OR 0.25, P<.001), and an 87% decreased odds of social media use (OR 0.13, P=.01). Ten participants completed the semistructured interview. Several themes were identified, including (1) changes in internet behaviors while experiencing homelessness, (2) health status as a major concern and reason for Internet use, and (3) interest in a website dedicated to youth experiencing homelessness. While experiencing homelessness, participants indicated their behaviors were more goal-oriented and less focused on leisure or entertainment activities.ConclusionsWhile homeless youth experience changes in the frequency, amount of time, and specific uses of the internet and social media, study participants were able to access the internet regularly. The internet was used to search health-related topics. Given the importance of smartphones in accessing the internet, mobile-optimized websites may be an effective method for reaching this group.

The use of eHealth interventions among persons experiencing homelessness: A systematic review

“… 12 Further, technology access is consistent across the lifespan, with similar rates being found among homeless youth, adults, and older adults. 12 – 16 Persons experiencing homelessness use technology and the internet to stay connected with family and friends, search for housing and employment, and contact employers and case workers. 11 , 17 – 19 Further, persons experiencing homelessness are open and willing to use technology for health-related purposes.…”

Peer Information and Substance Use Decision Making in Street‐Involved Youth

“…The proliferation of smartphones over the past decade has created an additional means by which to disseminate drug‐related information. In an assessment of Internet use among youth living in homeless shelters, 86% reported accessing the Internet at least once per week, and 66% reported accessing the Internet primarily on a smartphone (VonHoltz et al, 2018). Thus, it is plausible to anticipate that rates of smartphone and Internet use would be at least this high in our sample of youth who were either actively homeless, living with friends or family, or had an apartment or house of their own.…”

A Sociometric Approach to Understanding Concordance in Substance Use Perceptions Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness

“…Indeed, studies among YEH have indicated that use of communication technology is ubiquitous among this population, with 80%-90% of YEH indicating using some form of communication technology; additionally, these studies indicate that technology is the main avenue through which YEH reach out to their broader networks (e.g., homebased peers, family, etc. ; Rice & Barman-Adhikari, 2014;VonHoltz et al, 2018). Together, these findings may indicate the need to rethink how we specify boundaries for designating YEH sociometric networks.…”