The online space presents a unique opportunity for psychological sciences to improve the health of youth

摘要

In the article "HIV Prevention for Adoles-cents: Where Do We Go From Here?" (Lightfoot, November 2012), Lightfoot suggested that given the continued unac-ceptably high rate of HIV among adolescents, there is an urgent need to expand current approaches to HIV prevention for this vulnerable group. She proposed that in order to adequately address HIV among adolescents, consideration and attention should be given to family-based interventions, social determinants and health disparities, new theoretical models, and Utilization of new technologies. With regard to the use of new technologies, she advised that tools such as the Internet and social media are how adolescents access each other, information that is important to them, and the broader world. Consequently, these technologies present a unique opportunity for reaching adolescents for health promotion. In their comment, Palasinski, Riggs, and Allison (2013) recommended that the downsides of technology be kept in mind when utilizing new media for prevention. They identified a number of concerns with new media and technology. However, the issues they raised in their comment should be considered in the context of the empirical evidence and of the significant need for youth to connect with evidence-based interventions.