Mobile text alerts are an effective way of communicating emergency information to adolescents: Results from focus groups with 12- to 18-year-olds

Abstract

Mobile phone text messages can be used to disseminate information and advice to the public in disasters. We sought to identify factors influencing how adolescents would respond to receiving emergency text messages. Qualitative interviews were conducted with participants aged 12–18 years. Participants discussed scenarios relating to flooding and the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb and were shown example alerts that might be sent out in these circumstances. Intended compliance with the alerts was high. Participants noted that compliance would be more likely if: they were familiar with the system; the messages were sent by a trusted source; messages were reserved for serious incidents; multiple messages were sent; messages were kept short and formal.