The use of smartphones and social media networking is widespread among teenagers. Multitude of smart phone applications (apps) have been developed to aid diabetes self-treatment. Several publications also support the value of using social networks as psychosocial support. Our aim was to assess the use of apps and social network in diabetes management and whether it could be a role for them to improve diabetes outcomes.
Transversal descriptive study of type 1 Diabetes aged 14 to 18 years old. Using an online survey, use of apps and social networks were explored.
We obtained answers from 38 adolescents (mean 16.1 years old; 50% males; mean diabetes duration 7 ± 4 years). Almost all of them had smartphone, only 4/38 used them for diabetes management. The rest didn’t use diabetes apps, 51% showing no interest and 30% as punctual users in the past. Out of 34 non users, 56% believed apps could be helpful and they would use them if they were good. Most of the kids used social network several times per day, but only 11% recognised using them for diabetes. Among those who didn’t, 36% of them think are useless, and 24% don’t trust information. Despite this, 76% believe that a proper social network could be helpful in diabetes management.
Type 1 adolescents barely use apps and social network for diabetes management.
Most of them don’t trust information or don’t know good apps for diabetes self-control.
Helping them choosing good apps and using proper social networks would increase the use of these technologies in diabetes self-management.