‘Mobile’ And Evidence-Based: Performance Of An Online Parenting Repository In the Pockets of Parents
|
If you are the presenter of this abstract (or if you cite this abstract in a talk or on a poster), please show the QR code in your slide or poster (QR code contains this URL). |
Abstract
Background
The provision of online information to parents regarding children’s health and development continues to soar worldwide. The Raising Children Network is an online repository of translated scientific research and non-commercial information for Australian parents of children 0-18 years, and professionals. In a country with the second highest penetration rate of smartphones, second only to Singapore, the Raising Children Network has optimised its site for smartphones. It automatically detects when a visitor is using their smartphone and displays the mobile site which is designed for smaller screens with simple navigation and large buttons for finger tapping. Central to effective delivery of digital information that meets audience demand is ongoing evaluation of audience reach, trends and needs.
Objectives: The aim of this presentation is to illustrate the increasing demand for parents to connect with evidence-based, online information via mobile devices, and how bite-sized, real-time information is informing everyday parenting. This presentation will present findings from three phases of research that investigated factors influential to parents enagaging with digital information. We will also present user trends and help-seeking by parents.
Method: Three projects were conducted during 2012:1) an online survey (n=2036 parents) and follow-up focus groups and interviews (n=71 parents) to determine what sources of information parents consider ‘credible' and the credibility of the Raising Children Network; 2) Face-to-face and online parent consultation (n=52 parents) in 2012 to explore what drives parents to seek online information; and 3)RCN site analysis 2012-2013 to monitor numbers of visitors, pageviews, trends in use of mobile devices to access content, other traffic sources and access via social media.
Results: Approximately 4 million Australian parents each year are connecting with evidence-based, online information on Raising Children Network to assist them in raising their children. Results strongly indicate that the Raising Children Network is a trusted authority in the parenting information marketplace and a respected producer of useful content. Mobile devices are increasingly utlised to find information to assist everyday parenting. . Parents access online information and resources for different reasons – to feel ‘normal’, for emotional relief, reassurance, validation, to tap into a network of support. Social media is an effective method for parents to access and share information with their social networks. The ability to access ‘My Neighbourhood’ to search a postcode area for child health and development related services is effective in connecting parents with local information.
Conclusions:
Parents embrace multiple platforms to access ready-to-use information inside and outside the home. Mobile phone usage for reliable parenting-related information is growing rapidly. Meeting audience demand is integral to how a digital society must keep up with parents’ needs and desires to participate given audience mobility, globalisation of content and new platforms.
The provision of online information to parents regarding children’s health and development continues to soar worldwide. The Raising Children Network is an online repository of translated scientific research and non-commercial information for Australian parents of children 0-18 years, and professionals. In a country with the second highest penetration rate of smartphones, second only to Singapore, the Raising Children Network has optimised its site for smartphones. It automatically detects when a visitor is using their smartphone and displays the mobile site which is designed for smaller screens with simple navigation and large buttons for finger tapping. Central to effective delivery of digital information that meets audience demand is ongoing evaluation of audience reach, trends and needs.
Objectives: The aim of this presentation is to illustrate the increasing demand for parents to connect with evidence-based, online information via mobile devices, and how bite-sized, real-time information is informing everyday parenting. This presentation will present findings from three phases of research that investigated factors influential to parents enagaging with digital information. We will also present user trends and help-seeking by parents.
Method: Three projects were conducted during 2012:1) an online survey (n=2036 parents) and follow-up focus groups and interviews (n=71 parents) to determine what sources of information parents consider ‘credible' and the credibility of the Raising Children Network; 2) Face-to-face and online parent consultation (n=52 parents) in 2012 to explore what drives parents to seek online information; and 3)RCN site analysis 2012-2013 to monitor numbers of visitors, pageviews, trends in use of mobile devices to access content, other traffic sources and access via social media.
Results: Approximately 4 million Australian parents each year are connecting with evidence-based, online information on Raising Children Network to assist them in raising their children. Results strongly indicate that the Raising Children Network is a trusted authority in the parenting information marketplace and a respected producer of useful content. Mobile devices are increasingly utlised to find information to assist everyday parenting. . Parents access online information and resources for different reasons – to feel ‘normal’, for emotional relief, reassurance, validation, to tap into a network of support. Social media is an effective method for parents to access and share information with their social networks. The ability to access ‘My Neighbourhood’ to search a postcode area for child health and development related services is effective in connecting parents with local information.
Conclusions:
Parents embrace multiple platforms to access ready-to-use information inside and outside the home. Mobile phone usage for reliable parenting-related information is growing rapidly. Meeting audience demand is integral to how a digital society must keep up with parents’ needs and desires to participate given audience mobility, globalisation of content and new platforms.
Medicine 2.0® is happy to support and promote other conferences and workshops in this area. Contact us to produce, disseminate and promote your conference or workshop under this label and in this event series. In addition, we are always looking for hosts of future World Congresses. Medicine 2.0® is a registered trademark of JMIR Publications Inc., the leading academic ehealth publisher.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.