Teenager Perspectives on COVID Alert, a Digital Exposure Notification App in Canada

Abstract

Purpose: COVID Alert is an exposure notification app deployed in Canada to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Québec, Canada. The questionnaire was codesigned with patients and members of the public. It assessed the perspectives of teenagers aged 15-17 years old.

Results: Among 237 respondents, 27% had downloaded the COVID Alert app. Friends and relatives constituted the largest influence for app download. The most frequently reported concerns included threats to privacy, confidentiality, cybersecurity, and geolocalization. Among nonusers, having more social contacts and evidence demonstrating effectiveness would have motivated app download. Individual factors associated with download included high concern about the pandemic and high self-perceived app knowledge.

Discussion: Future digital health interventions should engage teenagers in developing tools that promote social acceptance and responsible use in this group.

Keywords: App; COVID-19; Contact tracing; Exposure notification; Perspectives; Survey; Teenagers.