Alyssa Cohen1, Patricia O Ekwueme2, Kaitlyn Ann Sacotte2, Laiba Bajwa3, Shawnese Gilpin4, Nia Heard-Garris5. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: acohen@luriechildrens.org. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. 3. Loyola University Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Chicago, Illinois. 4. Department of Pediatrics, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Division of Academic General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Mary Ann & J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outreach, Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We sought to (1) characterize teens' experiences with news and social media, focusing on news depicting racism, (2) assess youth perceptions of how these experiences may impact their own health, and (3) explore how teens cope with racism encountered in media. We hypothesized that teens access news primarily through social media, and vicarious racism experienced via news increases negative perceptions of health. METHODS: Eighteen teens (aged 13-19 years) were recruited to participate in focus group interviews (N = 4). These were recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative methods. RESULTS: Youth spend much of each day online and frequently access social media, including news shared on these platforms. Many participants identified concerns surrounding "fake" news on social media. Participants reported encountering racially charged news and described their responses to these stories. Some reported feeling overwhelmed by racism in the news. Most participants perceived negative mood changes after exposure to racism in online news, although few associated this exposure with changes in their own health behaviors. Youth indicated that peer discussion was important for coping with vicarious racism exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the way teens access and share information through social media, including news involving racism, and the effect that this information may have on them. Their vicarious experiences of racism in the news may be associated with feelings of desensitization and mood changes, with potential downstream effects on health. Peer support may help teens cope with vicarious racism. Longitudinal studies examining these exposures' health effects and opportunities for cross-sector intervention are needed.
PURPOSE: We sought to (1) characterize teens' experiences with news and social media, focusing on news depicting racism, (2) assess youth perceptions of how these experiences may impact their own health, and (3) explore how teens cope with racism encountered in media. We hypothesized that teens access news primarily through social media, and vicarious racism experienced via news increases negative perceptions of health. METHODS: Eighteen teens (aged 13-19 years) were recruited to participate in focus group interviews (N = 4). These were recorded, transcribed, and coded using qualitative methods. RESULTS: Youth spend much of each day online and frequently access social media, including news shared on these platforms. Many participants identified concerns surrounding "fake" news on social media. Participants reported encountering racially charged news and described their responses to these stories. Some reported feeling overwhelmed by racism in the news. Most participants perceived negative mood changes after exposure to racism in online news, although few associated this exposure with changes in their own health behaviors. Youth indicated that peer discussion was important for coping with vicarious racism exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the way teens access and share information through social media, including news involving racism, and the effect that this information may have on them. Their vicarious experiences of racism in the news may be associated with feelings of desensitization and mood changes, with potential downstream effects on health. Peer support may help teens cope with vicarious racism. Longitudinal studies examining these exposures' health effects and opportunities for cross-sector intervention are needed.