COVID-19 and Dr. Google: Parents' changing experience using online health information about their children's health during the pandemic

AimsTo identify how the COVID-19 pandemic influences parents' use of the internet, including social media, when seeking health-related information about the pandemic relevant to their children. MethodsThis study employed semi-structured interviews to explore the factors affecting parents of young children when information-seeking online about their children's health related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents of children with and without chronic health conditions were interviewed in July and August 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using theoretical thematic analysis, based on Social Cognitive Theory. ResultsThrough interviews with 13 parents, we identified a myriad of factors that affected parents' internet searching. The decision to access online health information and the regulation of its usage was multifaceted and relied upon the interactions between environmental triggers and parents' information needs, personal attitudes, and circumstances. Overall, parents felt supported by online health information during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the majority were confident in their ability to navigate the plethora of online health information. However, parents of children with chronic conditions had unmet information needs in relation to COVID-19 and their children's condition. ConclusionsUnderstanding parents' attitudes and behaviours when seeking online health information that is relevant to their children during a global pandemic can inform the optimisation of online health content delivery to parents.