2.L. Workshop: Digital health literacy in childhood and adolescence: concepts, assessment tools, and study results
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-CAPH, EUPHA-HL,   Chair persons: Julia Dratva (EUPHA-CAPH), Orkan Okan (EUPHA-HL)
Published: October 2023

The on-going digital transformation of societies and our health system has to be taken into account when it comes to child and adolescent public health. Digitalization is also rapidly changing European (public) health systems, impacting the design of healthcare, the delivery of health education, and the necessary training of health professionals working with children and adolescents. Digital health literacy is rooted in health literacy and comprises the competencies to find, understand, appraise, and apply health information and services. Digital health literacy is becoming increasingly relevant to navigate the health system, to be informed and interact on health topics, and to manage one's own health. Digital health literacy not only has a positive impact on health it is also considered a key element to a successful transition to digital health and digital public health. Children and adolescents are born into a digital world and already at young age they start to engage with digital technologies and applications. This familiarity does not, however, imply a high digital health literacy, the competencies relevant to digital health literacy must still be trained and learned. The earlier children and adolescents develop these competencies, the earlier they can take responsibility for their health behaviours and health. Schools and educational institutions are therefore crucial concerning the promotion of digital health literacy. For its promotion it needs knowledge regarding the concept, how it can be measured and effectively promoted.

The objectives of this workshop are to:

• Provide an introduction into the concept of digital health literacy and its relevance for child and adolescent public health

• Provide an overview and current challenges of measuring digital health literacy.

• Provide insights into first time representative data on school children's digital health literacy and a collaborative project in schools between public health and paediatrics.

• To clarify questions and exchange with the audience on experiences and possible interventions promoting digital health literacy in this age group

• To provide data on school teachers' digital health literacy and the implementation of digitial health literacy in schools

In this workshop, we wish to share knowledge and evidence on digital health literacy in children and adolescents and enter into an expert discussion on the public health relevance of digital health literacy, evidence and limitations of current digital health instruments, as well as options for the promotion of digital health literacy in children and adolescents. Three presentations will set the foundation for this exchange (3 x 10 minutes, brief Q&A) after which 20 minutes are dedicated to the discussion.

Key messages

• Digital health literacy is an increasingly important health determinant of child and adolescent health and should be measured and promoted.

• Digital health literacy can be promoted in the context of school health promotion, prevention and education.