Part 1 - Young People and Technology Tutorial

ReachOutPro.com.auEducational Module Part 1 Technology and Young People

Part 1 - Technology
and Young People
Connecting Our Worlds
ReachOutPro.com.au Educational Module

Part 1 - Technology and Young
People


Introduction to Part 1
The following presentation aims to provide you with a basic understanding of how
using technology may help your practice. It will also begin to provide you with
strategies to integrate technology into your sessions. Specific learning goals are;

• An understanding of the benefits associated
with using technologies both for your own
professional development and with young people.

• An understanding of what young people feel
might be useful and why.

• A basic knowledge of current research into the
use of technology with young people and
evidence supporting this.

• An understanding of why it’s not essential to be
an expert in technology in order to use it with
good effect with young people.

2


• 91% of 12-17 year olds indicated that the internet
Young people, was a „highly important‟ part of their life[1].

• Over 95% of young Australians use the internet[2].
technology • The majority of young people spend between
and culture 1 - 3 hours per day on the internet[3].

• Online chatting was ranked at the most favoured
leisure activity by young people[1].

Technology is highly integrated into many people‟s lives, • Of those Australians that are online, 25.3% are now
but possibly more so for young people. For young people
living in Australia; accessing the internet using mobile phones[2].

3


“Technology to me is something
that continually evolves. It's
something that's easily adaptable to
cater for demand, and can be
utilised in a number of forms.
Technology is all around us, and its
something that we continually use
and rely upon. Technology doesn't
necessarily have to be digital; it's all
about how revolutionary it is.”
Chris, ReachOutPro.com.au Interview with a Young Person

4


• The internet has been identified as a key source of
advice and support by young people [3-5].

• When seeking help, 85.9% sought help from friends –

Young people, which may be initiated through face-to-face contact, instant
messaging or chat, SMS, or via networking sites.
Comparatively, only 11.7% would seek help from

technology •
community agencies (eg youth workers)[5].

The headspace National Youth and Parent Community

and connection Survey (2008) [6] assessed young people‟s internet use in
Australia and the perception of usefulness of online mental
health services. Within this survey, 76.9% of young people
reported using the internet to connect with other young
people. Of those in the 18-25 year old group, 33.9%
Coming to terms with how young people use technology is a reported using it to seek information about a mental health
vital part of understanding young people themselves and
how to communicate with them. Technology is a key part of problem[3].
young peoples‟ day to day communication, and is often used
to find information, seek advice, or research services. So • Recent ReachOut.com (RO) research has shown that in
much so that the internet is now a crucial part of help
seeking for many. Recent research has indicated that; tough times, more than 65% of young people would be
likely or very likely to seek help on ReachOut.com or other
websites whereas 52% would be likely or very unlikely to
talk to a professional such as a GP or counsellor[7].

5


“I think online chats and instant
messaging were probably the first
places I went when I felt down.
Being able to chat to other young
people but also having that security
of anonymity meant that you could
talk about anything. When I went to
find more formal help I was lucky,
ReachOut.com was one of the
first places I found and I've never
looked back.”
Kris, ReachOutPro.com.au interview with a Young Person

6


• Using technology to engage young people is key and should be
considered another tool in a clinician’s tool box;

• The internet is not restricted by geographical or physical barriers
and so can reach those who would otherwise be difficult to
reach[8-10];

• Using the internet can result in the young person feeling
empowered and more in control. It allows them to be „able to
Why use dip their toe in or out' and moderate the intensity and duration of
contact. Also allowing for freedom of self-expression[3].

technology • Technology also spans the digital divide and may help
marginalised young people gain access to services[11].

with young • Embracing technology many help to overcome awkwardness or
barriers such as shyness or lack of confidence in
communication. Emails for example, have been shown to
people increase the directness in help-seeking and the reporting of
physical complaints by adolescents to healthcare
professionals[12].

• Failing to recognise and link the young person to online
networks leaves a crucial area of support ignored. The internet
has been shown to be important in building the support
networks of Young People[13].

• Using technology can help improve the therapeutic
relationship and clinical outcomes[14].

7


“I think health care professionals
working with young people should
try to embrace the use of technology
as a way of making help seeking
more relevant and accessible to
young people. Like, when I went and
saw a psychiatrist, and sat on her floral
couch in her medical room - I felt like I
was stepping back in time and it made
me automatically awkward. When I
chatted online or wrote an email to a
counsellor I felt like I was in my own
world and could be myself and I think
that really helped me!”
Meke, ReachOutPro.com.au Interview with a Young Person

8


Becoming a tech expert
• A lack of exposure to current • Before embarking on using
programs and technology can make technology in your work - do your
understanding the range of technology research.
seem more overwhelming.
• It’s better to pick one or two
• Remember that you don’t have to programs and become familiar with
know everything to be able to use the these rather than trying to understand
technology. them all.

9


You don‟t need • Have a basic understanding of what types of technologies
might be useful in your work and complement your current
strategies. Parts 2 – Learning the Language of Technology
and 3 – Technology in Practice will provide you with some
to be a tech more information about common technologies and how to
use them.

expert to use • Use resources like ReachOutPro.com.au and professional
bodies to remain aware of new evidence regarding which

technology •
technologies are useful and in which contexts.

Each young person who presents to you may find different
things helpful to them. Encourage an active dialogue with the
young person regarding the use of technology. Ask them what
they find useful and follow-up on their use of any
Before you start using technology it‟s important to have an recommendations you make.
understanding of where your own comfort level sits.

• Websites such as Beacon (http://www.beacon.anu.edu.au/) can
also offer support and guidance about the strength of evidence
of an intervention[15].

10


• Young people don‟t require clinicians
to be experts on using technology

• They appreciate an openness to
exploring their opinion and flexibility of
practice.

Let the young • Asking for feedback on sites is also
appreciated – if you recommend a

people site, follow it up with the young person
to gain their views.

be the expert • Let them be the expert and let them
guide you as to what would be
preferable.
Let the young person be your guide about what to use.
• However, have your own sense of
clinically appropriate boundaries.
Be aware of concerns regarding
privacy and confidentiality.

• The rest can be negotiated with the
individual you are working with.

11


Tips from young people
These tips are based on interviews with young people who have been through treatment in clinical settings,
they don‟t just relate to technology but to attitudes to engaging with them that they value and appreciate:

1. Being accessible 6. Knowing what to expect

2. Recognising achievement 7. Maintaining confidentiality

3. Feeling comfortable 8. Communicating openly

4. Having flexible and 9. Feeling connected and valued
unique approaches
10. Use technology
5. Being non-judgmental

See [Tips from young people] for more information. 12


“.. use a variety of sources. Don't just settle on one
website. Give your clients options. What might be good
for one young person may not be good for another. We
love social networking sites such as Facebook and
MySpace. We also like sites such as LiveJournal and
Twitter. If you understand what we like to do, we are
more inclined to be open with you about our world. What
I'm saying is... be curious about what we get up to in our
spare time. Ask us about these sites and whether we use
them. If you know and understand what us young people
like to do in our spare time, we are more willing to show
you these sites. Even if you don't know much about them,
let us know that you are curious. Who knows, we might
even be willing to let you in on how we use them.
Remember, this doesn't just apply to internet sites,
this applies to everything.”
Becks,ReachOutPro.com.au Interview with a Young Person.

13


What are young people saying?
“Be open to using technology in your “Technology plays such a huge role in the
practice. We young people live in a world of lives of young people - and I don't think it's
technology, so we know our stuff. If you are about the health care professional even being a
unsure about how to use something, let us know, pro at using technology because it's constantly
because we would be more than happy to help changing. I used to help my counsellors learn
you understand it. Especially if we know that it is chat lingo and it made me feel like I had
going to be used in supporting other young something to offer and communicated to me
people. We like to help as it gives us a voice in that they were interested in my world (not just
our treatment plans. If you want to know more my problems). “
about mobiles, let us talk to you about them. If Meke 2010, ReachOutPro.com.au Interview with a Young Person.
you want to understand how to surf the net for
places that we young people hang at, give us this
knowledge so we can inform you. Be open with
us, and we will be open with you.”
Becks 2010, ReachOutPro.com.au Interview with a Young
Person.

14


Additional information,
evidence and access
Some ideas and tools for using technology in practice are presented in Part 3 of this course. These
suggestions involve using technology to assist with carrying out tasks that would most likely be part of any
clinical practice. Essentially our aim is to provide some options for finding new, innovative and “youth
friendly” ways of practicing good clinical care.

However, we recognise that many people who work with young people may not have access to the
technology that would allow them to engage readily with some of the aforementioned sites. We understand
that this can be limiting but is something that needs to be addressed if organisations and institutions want to
engage youth in new and innovative ways.

In order to support this objective, refer to our Rational document, a one page summary which presents key
statistics and references to facilitate gaining access to technology for the purpose of working with young
people [link to Rationale document].

For further information you may wish to refer to the Further reading list [link to Further reading].

15


References cited
1. Australian Communications and Media Authority, Australia in the 9. Leach, L.S., et al., Websites as a mode of delivering mental health
Digital Economy R.J. Xavier, Editor. 2008, Australian information: perceptions from the Australian public. Soc Psychiatry
Communications and Media Authority: Canberra. PsychiatrEpidemiol, 2007. 42(2): p. 167-72.

2. Ewing, S., J. Thomas, and J. Schiessl, CCI Digital Futures Report: 10. Tait, R.J. and H. Christensen, Internet-based interventions for
The Internet in Australia. 2008, ARC Centre of Excellence for young people with problematic substance use: a systematic review.
Creative Industries and Innovation Institute for Social Research, Med J Aust, 2010. 192(11 Suppl): p. S15-21.
Swinburne University of Technology: Melbourne: Australia. .
11. Metcalf, A., et al., Bridging the Digital Divide: Utilising technology to
3. Burns, J.M., et al., The internet as a setting for mental health promote social connectedness and civic engagement amongst
service utilisation by young people. Med J Aust, 2010. 192(11 marginalised young people. Journal of Community, Citizen‟s and
Suppl): p. S22-6. Third Sector Media and Communication, 2008. 4(August): p. 1-15.

4. Gould, M.S., et al., Seeking help from the internet during 12. Harvey, K., et al., Health communication and adolescents: what do
adolescence. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2002. 41(10): their emails tell us? Family Practice, 2008. 25(4): p. 304-311.
p. 1182-9.
13. Stanton-Salazar, R. and S. Spina, Adolescent Peer Networks as a
5. Mission Australia, National Survey of Young Australians 2009: Key Context for Social and Emotional Support. Youth and Society,
& emerging issues. 2010, Mission Australia: Sydney. 2005. 36(4): p. 379-417.

6. Hickie, I., et al., Findings from teh headspace National Youth and 14. Choudhury, B.C.C.M.S., et al., Alliance, technology, and outcome
Paretn Community Survey 2008. 2009, Sense Advertising & in the treatment of anxious youth Cognitive and Behavioral
Design: Melbourn. Practice, 2004. 11(1): p. 44-55.

7. Metcalf, A., J. Stephens-Reicher, and P. Collins, ReachOut.com 15. Christensen, H., et al., Beacon: a web portal to high-quality mental
National Survey 2010. 2010. health websites for use by health professionals and the public. Med
J Aust, 2010. 192(11 Suppl): p. S40-4.
8. Christensen, H. and K. Griffiths, The Internet and mental health
literacy. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2000. 34(6): p. 975-9.

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Evaluation
Education Module Pilot Webinar Participants
We are conducting a survey to evaluate the newly launched ReachOut Pro If you are completing this module as pre-reading for a
Educational Module - Connecting Our Worlds, currently being piloted on ReachOut Pro Webinar, please use the link below to undertake a
ReachOutPro.com.au. The survey aims to understand more about who separate survey tailored for your training program.
uses the module, what aspects are considered most useful and also how it
might be improved in the future. [Click here to begin the survey for Webinar Participants]

As this module is a pilot, we ask that you take a moment to complete an
online survey, to assist us in assessing the value of these professional
development resources for your practice. Your feedback will contribute to
more valuable and effective resources for other professionals in your
sector.

If you have finished using the Education Module, we would appreciate
your feedback on it’s usefulness for your practice.

[Click here to begin the survey]

17

Part 1 - Young People and Technology Tutorial

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Part 1 - Young People and Technology Tutorial