New study uncovers TikTok mental health advice risks
TikTok's design makes it harder for young people to think critically about the mental health content they see, new University of Birmingham research suggests. With more than 550,000 children and young people in England waiting for mental health treatment, the new study reveals that the platform's design can make it difficult to distinguish trustworthy mental health advice from misleading content.
A new study from the University of Birmingham highlights how TikTok's design can pose risks to young people's mental health. With many English children and teens already facing a shortage of mental health treatment, the platform's features make it challenging to separate reliable advice from misleading content. The research identifies three key issues: distinguishing between relatable and reliable content, the belief that the content is "fun but fake," and the algorithm's impact on critical thinking.
The study surveyed young people aged 16-25 from across England, finding that TikTok's design hinders their ability to think critically about the mental health information they encounter. Despite being digitally savvy, the participants tended to prioritize relatability over professional credibility when evaluating content. The researchers also found that influencers often recommend supplements for mental health issues, with a lack of engaging and helpful content for young men.
The study suggests that social media platforms' design, not just usage time, significantly influences how young people interact with mental health information online.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
