A.-K. Lindqvist et al. Table I. Overview of results. Main theme Subtheme Being competent, ambivalent and creative at the same time Being a digital native for better and for worse Knowing what is healthy and sometimes doing it Considering change and having ideas of how change could be supported Citation: Int J Qualitative Stud Health Well-being 2012; 7: 17726 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v7i0.17726 and considering change and having ideas of how change could be supported which show a complex picture of adolescents’ reasoning and experience of health promotion. The students experienced them- selves to be informed and able where the promotion of health and ICT are concerned, but they did not always prioritize their health when deciding how to behave. Being a digital native for better and for worse The first subtheme showed that the students had extensive experience of and felt comfortable using ICT. Everybody had a mobile phone, which was used for keeping in touch with friends by talking and texting, for playing games, taking photos and listen- ing to music. The boys talked more about playing games and used some applications on their phones. The most common usage that the girls put their phones to was that of communication. In addition, all the participants had a computer and everyone was active on Facebook. The computers were used for schoolwork, playing games, music, watching YouTube, reading and writing blogs, shopping and for keeping in touch with friends via Skype and Facebook. The boys tended to use their computers for playing games more frequently than the girls, while the girls spent a larger amount of time with the blogs. In particular, the students expressed a need to use their mobile phones, but they also said that Facebook was a very important part of their lives. 4:2 Well, I feel like I couldn’t live without it [the mobile phone]. 4:4 When you go somewhere and find you’ve forgotten it, then you feel: Oh gosh, what now? 4:3 You feel naked when you don’t have your phone with you. 4:6 Well, just empty . . . 4:7 You can’t be reached. The students felt that the computers could be a threat to their health since they spent much time sitting in front of them especially when they where new, they experienced the charm of novelty, but they did not perceive the same risk with the mobile phones. The mobile phones were used in the same way, irrespective of the time of the year; however, there was a seasonal difference in how the comput- ers were used: in the summer other activities, for 4 (page number not for citation purpose) example cycling and swimming, were perceived to be more interesting than sitting at the computer. The students had some experiences of and were generally positive about ICT as a support for health promotion. Some, especially the boys, had experi- ence of using various ICT tools, such as pedometers as mobile phone applications, but they were not willing to pay for them. In junction with the use of applications, the following discussion was recorded: 1:4 What was good about the one [application] that I had was that one got something when one had gone, for example, 150,000 steps; one re- ceived a medal like in a program. And then a new challenge was unlocked. M And what was the reward? 1:4 One received a [virtual] medal when you’ve made it. And then one can see [on the application] how far one has had to go to achieve it. 1:2 In the form of a picture. M Unlocked, how do you mean? 1:4 Yes, when you had accomplished that chal- lenge, you got another and could walk even more. 1:2 That was cool. Knowing what’s healthy and sometimes doing it The second subtheme showed that the students had a clear opinion of what they could do that is good for their health although they sometimes choose to behave differently. They mentioned the importance of eating healthy food and avoiding things like candy and soft drinks. The students talked about both individual and team sports, but also mentioned physical activity in general in the form of, for example, walking the dog, cycling and going fishing. In addition, they addressed the need to sleep well and to have a sound balance between activity and rest. According to the students, it was good for their health to be with friends and family, but they also said that they sometimes had a need to be alone. They said that having fun by playing in a band and kidding around with friends, for example, was good for their health. A combination of several health promoting behaviors was common and both mental and physical health were mentioned. M Is there something more you would like to add about health? 5:5 Two glasses a day is good for your belly.