Quest of Information on Health Issues through Social Networking on-Line and Off-Line, Among 18-34 Years Old.

This paper discusses the findings of an exploratory qualitative research conducted among 18-34 years old. It focuses on their use of social networks, off-line and on-line, in their research on health issues. It examines whether digital natives still prioritize traditional research paradigm including face-to-face interactions with family, friends and health professionals. The analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with 21 subjects (the majority of whom consider themselves healthy)  from the greater Montreal region  (Canada) identifies factors influencing their approach to seeking information on health issues,  as well as their use, their perception and their search trajectory on  social networks. This paper examines the following questions: What place is granted to interpersonal skills and to transactional communication between the patient and health professionals? Do the connectivity and the interactivity of individuals constitute vectors of use?  This paper shows the importance of offering a diversity of sources for finding health information. It also argues that interpersonal participation regarding health issues occurs both in off-line and on-line social networks.