Social networking site interventions use social networks such as Facebook and MySpace as a platform to deliver health education. Such interventions may provide information on one social networking site exclusively or be part of a broader online campaign that uses websites and multiple social networks.
Expected Beneficial Outcomes (Rated)
Increased HIV and STI knowledge
Reduced risky sexual behavior
Other Potential Beneficial Outcomes
Increased condom use
Increased STI testing
Evidence of Effectiveness
Social networking site interventions are a suggested strategy to increase knowledge about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and decrease risky sexual behaviors among adolescents1. Available evidence indicates that interventions on social networking sites successfully reach target audiences2, 3. Such interventions may also decrease risky online behaviors4, increase condom use by adolescents in the short-term5, and increase home-based HIV testing among men who have sex with men6. However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects7.
Impact on Disparities
Implementation Examples
Social networking sites are increasingly used for promotion of sexual health interventions7. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy8 and GYT: Get Yourself Tested9, for example, use websites, Facebook, and Twitter as part of multi-media campaigns aimed at adolescents and young adults1.
Implementation Resources
CDC-Kachur 2013 - Kachur R, Mesnick J, Liddon N, et al. Adolescents, technology and reducing risk for HIV, STDs and pregnancy. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); 2013.
Footnotes
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
1 CDC-Kachur 2013 - Kachur R, Mesnick J, Liddon N, et al. Adolescents, technology and reducing risk for HIV, STDs and pregnancy. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); 2013.
2 Nguyen 2013 - Nguyen P, Gold J, Pedrana A, et al. Sexual health promotion on social networking sites: A process evaluation of the FaceSpace project. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2013;53(1):98–104.
3 Pedrana 2013 - Pedrana A, Hellard M, Gold J, et al. Queer as f**k: Reaching and engaging gay men in sexual health promotion through social networking sites. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2013;15(2):e25.
4 Guse 2012 - Guse K, Levine D, Martins S, et al. Interventions using new digital media to improve adolescent sexual health: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2012;51(6):535–43.
5 Bull 2012 - Bull SS, Levine DK, Black SR, Schmiege SJ, Santelli J. Social media-delivered sexual health intervention: A cluster randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2012;43(5):467–74.
6 Young 2013 - Young SD, Cumberland WG, Lee S-J, et al. Social networking technologies as an emerging tool for HIV prevention: A cluster randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2014;159(5):318–24.
7 Gold 2011 - Gold J, Pedrana AE, Sacks-Davis R, et al. A systematic examination of the use of online social networking sites for sexual health promotion. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:583.
8 National Campaign - National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Responsible behavior. Responsible policies.
9 GYT - Get Yourself Tested (GYT). Know yourself, know your status.
Related What Works for Health Strategies
To see citations and implementation resources for this strategy, visit:
countyhealthrankings.org/take-action-to-improve-health/what-works-for-health/strategies/social-networking-site-interventions-risky-sexual-behavior
To see all strategies:
countyhealthrankings.org/whatworks