The information behaviours of disadvantaged and disengaged adolescents

Purpose: To better understand adolescent information behaviours in disadvantaged and disengaged circumstances, and explore issues of social integration. Design/methodology: Interdisciplinary theoretical framework bringing together theories of information behaviour with theories of social capital. Mixed method design incorporating observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group conducted in areas of multiple deprivations. Participants’ young people aged 16-19 not in education, employment or training (NEET); and their support workers. Findings: Heightened access and internalised behavioural barriers found beyond those common to the general adolescent population, the former influenced by technology and literacy issues, the latter by social structures and norms. There is evidence suggestive of deception, risk-taking, secrecy, and situational relevance in information behaviors, and a reliance on bonding social capital characteristically exclusive and inward facing. Low levels of literacy and self-efficacy are significant interrelated issues, with NEET youth dependent upon support workers when seeking and processing information, and demonstrating passive non-motivated information behaviours often abandoned. Research limitations/implications: no claims to statistical significance or generalizability made. Further action oriented research recommended balancing the needs for further understanding with the needs for immediate intervention (and placing emphasis on influencing information behaviors). Practical implications: Remedial literacy education recommended as an immediate priority for public and third sector agencies. Originality/value: Evidences and draws attention to understudied and enduring information poverty issues of significant societal concern potentially consigning a significant proportion of the youth population to a stratified and disengaged existence within an impoverished (small) information world.