Peer-reviewed article
Social Media Use Purposes of Children and The Impact of Their Self-Directed Learning with Technology on Health Literacy
Dıjle Ayar, İ̇lknur Bektaş, Aslı Akdeniz Kudubeş, Murat Bektaş ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how 507 secondary school students in Turkey use social media and self-directed learning with technology, and how these relate to their health literacy. The research found moderate positive correlations between both social media use purposes and self-directed learning with technology on one hand, and health literacy on the other. Together, these two factors accounted for 46% of the variation in students' health literacy scores.
Key points
- Social media use purposes showed a positive moderate correlation with health literacy (β = .60, p < .001)
- Self-directed learning with technology showed a positive moderate correlation with health literacy (β = .58, p < .001)
- Together, social media use purposes and self-directed learning with technology explained 46% of the variance in health literacy
- The study used validated scales to measure social media purposes, self-directed learning, and health literacy
- Sample included 507 students from two secondary schools in Turkey's Aegean region
Limitations
The study is observational and does not establish causation; it cannot determine whether social media and technology use improve health literacy or whether health-literate children simply use these tools differently. The cross-sectional design cannot explain the mechanisms through which these relationships work or whether effects differ by age, gender, or other characteristics.
Abstract
Background: Health literacy is described as a means to obtain new information and reach more positive attitudes, more competence, positive health behaviors and better health outcomes. Social media use and self-directed learning with technology affecting health literacy of children. Objectives: This study is to examine the effect of social media and their self-directed learning with technology on health literacy. Methods: The study was conducted with a total of 507 students from two secondary schools located in Turkey's Aegean region. Descriptive Information Form”, “Social Media Purpose Use Scale”, “Self-Directed Learning with Technology Scale” and “Health Literacy Scale for School-Aged Children” were used as data collection tools. Results: Result of the regression analysis showed, there was a positive moderate significant correlation between the mean total scores of the purpose of social media use (β =.60, p <.001) and health literacy there was a positive moderate significant correlation between self-directed learning with technology (β =.58, p <.001) and health literacy. The health literacy of the students was mostly affected from the mean total scores of the purpose of social media use and the self-directed learning with technology, respectively. It was found that 46% (F = 215.872, p < .001) of the factors affecting the health literacy in the overall model could be accounted by the purpose of social media use and self-directed learning with technology. Conclusion: It is reported that there is a positive significant correlation between health literacy of the children and the purposes of social media use and self-directed learning with technology.