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'Is It Safe for My Child to Play Football?' New Study Finds Online Information Lacking
July 16, 2026
As parents weigh whether their children should play tackle football, many turn to the internet for information about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). But a new study in the Journal of Community Health led by Danna Ethan, professor of Health Education and Promotion, found that much of the online information about CTE is written at a reading level that is too difficult for many adults.
The study analyzed 68 websites that provide non-technical information about CTE. Most were written at a high school or college reading level, even though health information for the general public is recommended to be written at about an eighth-grade reading level. Researchers also found that nearly 40% of the websites did not include a publication or update date, and fewer than half provided references to support their content.
The findings suggest that parents may face unnecessary barriers when looking for reliable information to help them make decisions about youth tackle football and other contact sports.
Ethan says there is a need for clear, easy-to-read, and well-sourced online resources that reflect the latest evidence about CTE and repetitive head impacts.
“For parents seeking online information about CTE as they consider their child’s participation in tackle football, hard‑to‑read, poorly sourced, or outdated materials fall short of supporting informed decision‑making and make these already complex decisions more difficult,” she said.
Read the study here.