“Our On-line Connection.” The Role of Social Media in the Lives of Our Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Population and Their Families; and Where We Intersect

Social media platforms are an emerging source of psychosocial support and health information for children with brain tumors and their families. Potential benefits for our patients and their parents include providing an easily accessible source of vast amounts of information, with subsequent patient empowerment and engagement, strengthening patient–physician relationships, increasing opportunities for emotional and social support, and opening up new avenues for clinical and research participation. Families however must be aware of some drawbacks of social media including the quality of information provided, online privacy concerns, and the potential for misrepresentation and exploitation. We as health care providers must learn to harness the tools and power that social media can provide but be wary of professionalism in this new arena including privacy and confidentiality, blurring of professional boundaries, and offering advice/consultation online.