Perspectives of Secondary School Students on Health Problems from the Use of Online Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: To study secondary school students' perspectives on health problems from the use of online media by themselves and their high school friends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Qualitative descriptive research.

Methods: Conduct in-depth interviews with a sample of 30 secondary school students between the ages of 12-18 years recruited by purposive sampling from a specific selection of schools in the study areas with good internet infrastructure. Data were collected by recording the interviews and transcribing them verbatim. Content analysis was used with data comparison from multiple sources for accuracy and precision, and inductive analysis to draw conclusions.

Main findings: Perspectives on health problems of secondary school students from the use of online media by both themselves and their friends, included the following aspects: 1) Physical, such as eye problems, trigger more serious illnesses, obstacles to activities or exercise, and inappropriate eating habits; 2) Emotional, such as bored, irritated quickly, easily angry, stressed, sad, hurt, paranoid, and afraid. 3) Social, such as introverted, underappreciated, threatened, cheated, fake relationships, and a gap in family relationships. 4) Intellectual, such as losing the opportunity to learn and unequal access to technology devices which were the obstacles to studying.  

Conclusion and recommendations: The use of online media by both oneself and friends could affect one’s own health problems on physical, emotional, social, and intellectual. Therefore, stakeholders such as families, schools, and health professionals should work together to use student perspectives as part of solving the health problem.