Taking health advice that turned out to be inaccurate 

A new study has revealed that 80% of Brits act on health advice seen online an average of 4 times a year by sharing with friends, researching symptoms or purchasing products. In fact, half of the UK has taken health advice seen online. One in 10 taking health advice that has turned out to be inaccurate. With viral incentivised platforms such as TikTok, viewers are sharing misinformed videos with their friends before TikTok even has the chance to take them down.

55% of health advice videos on TikTok are misleading or inaccurate 

Superdrug Online Doctors reviewed 100 of the most watched TikTok videos under various health-related hashtags finding that a staggering 55% are inaccurate or misleading. With over 300 million views across all analysed videos, such misinformation has been spread far and wide. Health content on social media is most trusted by younger generations. With 58% of viewers aged 16-24 believing that the health advice they consume on social media is accurate. The research also shows articles with “TikTok” and ‘fake’ in the title have had an 812% increase since last December, suggesting a large rise in reporting of misinformation on the platform. 

Half of Brits feel a misinformed social media post about health or sex could negatively impact their social life

In regards to mental health, there is an unspoken impact of misleading health content including misdiagnosis and increased needless anxiety. The research revealed 65% of consumers feel health misinformation can have a negative impact on mental health. 63% believe it can impact their general confidence. Consuming health misinformation online was also found to impact half of Brits’ personal relationships and one in two said it could even impact their social life. 

Whether you think you have an STI or are worried about your sexual health, or even if you’ve got symptoms of a condition you’ve just discovered online, be sure to check in with an actual doctor. Getting advice rather than tapping and scrolling your way to an anxiety-inducing self-diagnosis is the best option. 

Psychologist, Smriti Joshi shared her top tips on how to spot a misleading post and ensure you fact-check the content you consume:

• Be aware of social media algorithms
• Have a critical eye and ear and ask if this is right for you.
• Always ensure to check the source of the information you are accessing.
• If a piece of information looks magical,  it’s probably too good to be true.
• Remember we all have unique bodies and unique needs.

Credit the source: https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/social-media-misinformation.html