Social Networking and Teenage Pregnancy - Term Paper Example

? Social Networking and Teenage Pregnancy Ricardo A. Valera ID #......... Assignment #3 Nursing Informatics Athabasca Susan Poonai November 8th, 2011 Social Networking and Teenage Pregnancy Introduction Contemporary forms of media have become increasingly important in the lives of several people, particularly among youth and adolescents (Mitchell, Wolak & Finkelhor, 2007, p. 116). According to statistics, 83% of the US adult population look for health information online, 86% from a health professional, and 68% from friends and family members (Anderson and Speed, 2010, p. 5). In addition, studies also revealed that teens and adolescents spend approximately 7 hours/day in using internet and other forms of media (Strasburger, Jordan & Donnerstein, 2011, p. 757). With the unprecedented use of internet and other forms of media, the number of teens and adolescents who engage in aggressive behavior, risky sexual behavior, substance use, disordered eating, and unwanted pregnancy are increasing as well (Strasburger, Jordan & Donnerstein, 2011, p. 757). Knowing the large array of population of teens and adults who use the internet, social networking sites, information-based news, and weblogs, it is safe to say that these forms of media are the most accessible tool in disseminating information. This paper will discuss the use of social networking tools, particularly weblogs in communicating information regarding one of the most common problems face by teens today – teenage pregnancy. Furthermore, this paper will also describe how group of pregnant teens are given provision and support while using social networking tools and will explore factors to consider in adopting social networking as a tool for information-dissemination among pregnant teens. This paper will also address the relative merits of social networking in terms of cost, strengths and limitations, and benefits of each course of actions. Moreover, this paper will identify three or four priority actions with corresponding rationale for their selection. At the end of this paper, a critical analysis and synthesis of ideas is presented to identify and summarize major points to consider in using social networking tools such as weblogs. Relative Merits In order to analyze the overall dimension of social networking or weblogs and to avoid biases, the following relative merits in terms of information-dissemination among pregnant teens will be addressed: cost, strengths and limitations, and benefits of each course of actions. Cost According to Martindale & Wiley (2005), weblogs are hosted on a free service (supported by advertisements) and bloggers have to pay only for the Internet access time; no need for any special technical skills or owning any expensive equipment (p. 61) Strengths and Limitations Social networking tools such as blogs have received the greatest number of attention among people who use internet (Martindale & Wiley, 2005, p. 60). Weblogs are popular primarily because of their strengths, among of which are: allowing almost anyone to contribute to “holdings”, availability to greatest number of population, interesting nature, convenient and coherent view, updated format entailing entries and stories of other people, freedom of speech by users through posting of comments on the entry, and an interactive discussion from worldwide population (Martindale & Wiley, 2005, p. 55-56). Meanwhile, a few limitations were noted in the use of weblogs and social networking tools, among of which are the challenge of learning to use weblogs particularly to groups of pregnant teens who lack access to internets or computers and the lack of control over sharing of personal information among bloggers, users, and readers (Martindale & Wiley, 2005, p. 55). Benefits Weblogs enable bloggers, users, and readers to vent their feelings and direct others to links and resources that would give information related to users’ queries. Action Plan A thorough review of literatures, studies, and researches about teenage pregnancy weblogs, inclusion of information on how to use weblogs and social networking tools, and designing a detailed privacy terms and conditions are the three priority action plan implemented to address concerns related to use of social networking tools such as weblogs in disseminating information related to teenage pregnancy. Review of Literatures, Studies, and Researches A group of pregnant teens in the community suggest social networking or weblog that would help them access and communicate information related to pregnancy and gain the necessary intellectual and emotional support needed during the entire pregnancy. However, little is known about social networking and teenage pregnancy (Farber, 2009, p. 115). Therefore, in order to build a strong foundation relating social networking and teenage pregnancy, a review of literatures, studies, and researches must be conducted to provide a theoretical and practical direction in adopting a weblog about teenage pregnancy (Farber, 2009, p. 115). A review of literature, studies, and researches may not only provide information on how to create a weblog that foster positive attitudes toward teenage pregnancy but may also lead to a weblog which holistically address and alleviates fear among pregnant teens, improves knowledge and attitude towards teenage pregnancy prevention, and corrects distorted public image of pregnant teens (Arai, 2009, p. 39). Social networking and weblog reach large numbers of people and any information that bloggers will write will significantly affect users or readers of that certain blog; thus, gathering extensive background information and making sure that information are up-to-date and accurate are necessary before making a decision to use it as a tool in disseminating information about teenage pregnancy. Inclusion of Information on How to Use Weblogs and Social Networking Tools As stated earlier, one of the limitations of using weblogs and social networking tools in communicating information related to pregnancy is the challenge of learning to use weblogs particularly to groups of pregnant teens who lack access to internets or computers. Some pregnant teens have more access and exposure to this medium while others have not (Mitchell, Wolak & Finkelhor, 2007, p. 117). In addition, factors such as age, race and ethnicity, annual household income, and gender affect accessibility of pregnant teens to internets or computers (Mitchell, Wolak & Finkelhor, 2007, p. 117). If social networking tools such as weblogs will be used to communicate information to groups of pregnant teens, a blogger must ensure that target groups know how to utilize the weblog or have access to internets or computers. This can be done incorporating a “How to Use” option/tab or by posting an instruction on how to use the weblog at the top of the homepage page. Designing a Detailed Privacy Terms and Conditions Use of social networks or weblogs not only increased contact and communication with friends and family who are far away but also to online blogger, readers, and pregnant teens with the same dilemma or queries about the post in weblogs (Anderson & Speed, 2010, p. 9). Weblogs point to updated articles and websites and are often left with comments (Martindale & Wiley, 2005, p. 55). Since it directed users to different articles and web pages online, it increases contact and communication to users of the blog and directed web pages and articles online. Thus, the circle of information is not exclusive to a specific blog but probably, to the whole web as well. In this case, the possibility of incidences of breech of privacy may occur and as a blogger, I have the responsibility of ensuring that privacy are protected by providing terms and conditions in using the blog or allowing limited access to members or subscribers only of the weblog. Critical Analysis and Synthesis of Ideas This paper has provided specific statistical figures of current US adult population utilizing internet for health information sources. Impacts of social networking to teen’s behavior such as aggressive behavior, risky sexual behavior, substance use, disordered eating, and unwanted pregnancy are also identified, indicating that social networking has direct correlation with teen’s behavior. Because of statistical figures, readers can also imply that social networking is the most accessible tool in disseminating information. Weblogs are social networking tools proposed by a group of pregnant teens in the community. This paper has examined the overall dimension of social networking and weblogs in terms of cost, strengths and limitations, and benefits of each course of actions. By studying strengths and limitations, this paper presented a non-biased analysis. Three priority interventions in the action plan are implemented to address the limitations of the paper. The review of literature, studies, and researches will provide increased awareness, information, and knowledge about teenage pregnancy and social networking. The availability of information about weblogs and teenage pregnancy are limited and doing a review of literature, studies, and researches will strengthen the foundation of this paper. The inclusion of information on how to use weblogs and social networking tools will cover the target population who do not know how to use weblogs; thus, resources and information in the blog are maximized to the fullest and information are disseminated to “all” members of the target population. Designing a detailed privacy terms and conditions contribute to the validity and reliability of the study as this protect the privacy of personal information of users, bloggers, and pregnant teens. The information provided in this paper are derived from up-to-date textbooks, online journals, articles, and reports and I recommend a modified social networking and weblogs, which integrate the action plan, as a tool in communicating information related to teenage pregnancy. References Anderson, B. & Speed, E. (2010). Social Media and Health: Implications for Primary Health Care Providers. Report to Solihull Care Trust. Colchester, University of Essex. (p. 1-28). Arai, L. (2009). Epidemics, Fluctuations, and Trends: The Everyday Prediction of Teenage Pregnancy. Teenage Pregnancy: The Making and Unmaking of a Problem. (p. 39-52). Bristol: The Policy Press. Farber, N.B. (2009). Approaches to Prevention of High-Risk Sex and Adolescent Pregnancy. Adolescent Pregnancy: Policy and Prevention Services (2nd ed.) (p. 99-122). Massachusetts: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. Martindale, T. & Wiley, D. A. (2005). Using Weblogs in Scholarship and Teaching. ProQuest Education Journals, 49(2): 55-61. Mitchell, K.J., Wolak, J. & Finkelhor, D. (2007). Trends in Youth Reports of Sexual Solicitations, Harassment and Unwanted Exposure to Pornography on the Internet. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40: 116-126. Strasburger, V.C., Jordan, A, B. & Donnerstein, E. (2011). Health Effects of Media on Children and Adolescents. Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics, 125(4): 756-767. Read More