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Bridging the digital divide with data-free platforms: Online survey reaching families with young children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures have severely affected families around the world. It is frequently assumed that digital technologies can supplement and perhaps even replace services for families. This is challenging in conditions of high device and data costs as well as poor internet provision and access, raising concerns about widening inequalities in availability of support and consequent effects on child and family outcomes. Very few studies have examined these issues, including in low- and middle-income countries.


OBJECTIVE
The study objectives were twofold, the first was to gather data on the impact of COVID-19 on families of young children using an online survey. The second was to assess the feasibility of using a data-free online platform to conduct regular surveys and, potentially, to provide support for parents and families of young children in South Africa.


METHODS
We used a data-free mobile messenger platform to conduct a short digital survey of the impact of COVID-19 on caring for young children in South Africa. We report on the methodological processes and preliminary findings of the online survey.


RESULTS
More than 44,000 individuals accessed the survey link and 16,217 consented to the short survey within 96 hours of it being launched. Respondents were predominantly from lower- and lower-middle classes, representing the majority of the population, with urban residential locations roughly proportionate to national patterns, and some under-representation of rural households. Mothers comprised 70% of respondents and fathers 30%, representing 18,672 children 5 years and younger. Response rates per survey item ranged from 75% at the start of the survey to 50% at completion. Eighty-two percent of parents experienced at least one challenge during the pandemic and 53% did not receive help when needed from listed sources. Aggregate and individual findings in the form of bar graphs were made available to participants to view and download once they had completed the survey. Participants were also able to download contact details for support and referral services at no data cost.


CONCLUSIONS
Data-free survey methodology breaks new ground and demonstrates potential not previously considered. Reach is greater than achieved through phone surveys and some social media platforms, men are not usually included in parent surveys, costs are lower than phone surveys, and the technology allows for immediate feedback to respondents. These factors suggest that zero-rated services could provide a feasible, sustainable and equitable basis for ongoing interactions with families of young children.


CLINICALTRIAL