We are Scrolling Ourselves Sick With TikTok Health Advice

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Short TikToks garner hundreds of thousands of views from barely 15 seconds of video. But what happens when these videos contain misinformation? As viewers scroll endlessly through clips promising miracle products, entertainment begins to mask the truth. Suddenly, people rely on home remedies instead of functional medicine. Unfortunately, the fact is that there is no such thing as an anti-cancer tea that can help someone beat stage 4 cancer in 7 months. And worse, these unreliable “remedies” hinder people from receiving the true care they need. An unbelievable amount, 38% of young adults trust social media advice over their doctors

Wellness influencers, motivated by likes, views, and brand deals, disregard the well-being of their audience by routinely spreading unvetted health advice. What begins as casual tips often escalates into dangerous fallacies that completely undermine campaigns like vaccination awareness or nutrition guidelines. From promoting “life-saving” diets to teas that flush out toxins, social media stars spread misconceptions that doctors try to avoid. Their confident and polished delivery makes pseudoscience appear credible, when the influencers grasp only the most basic concept of the product themselves.

Additionally, in search of fame, these content creators often frame themselves as truth-telling saviors against major corporations like Big Pharma, creating a sense of distrust among the people of the CDC/WHO.

Kids, especially impressionable and insecure teenagers, spend hours scrolling on social media. Content creators exploit these traits, especially anxieties about body image, mental health issues, and chronic illnesses, to shamelessly sell their product. Additionally, sponsored products such as supplements, powders, and miracle diets create financial incentives to exaggerate.

But these influencers aren’t the only ones at fault because sometimes they don’t even realize they are spreading false information. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube reward quick, trendy content over careful science. Their algorithms could be used to filter out and block misinformation, yet instead they amplify emotionally charged posts, which are perfect conditions for these deceptions. They prioritize entertainment over health. This lack of accountability extends beyond individual creators to the platforms themselves. Moreover, limited scientific evidence supports claims such as “detox your body in 24 hours,” but algorithms favor these bold claims, spreading these unchecked assumptions further out in the world.

Furthermore, during the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, public agencies were struggling to push vaccines; however, influencers had no problem actively promoting and selling “immunity boosters” that were completely speculative and scientifically misleading.

While some influencers do promote evidence-based health advice and can reach audiences that public health administrations miss, the problem is a lack of accountability and the dominance of unverified voices. Even creators who mean well can spread harm if they only skim the surface of research and skip peer-reviewed evidence. 

Beyond that, the viral culture of TikTok spreads harmful health trends like wildfire. Extremely significant examples are the Tide Pod Challenge, where people consumed essentially poisonous substances, and the Blackout Challenge, where people choke themselves until they lose consciousness. Both challenges encouraged reckless behavior that could lead to extreme damage or even death by exposing younger kids to unfamiliar actions that seemingly everyone followed. This puts into perspective just how much people are willing to go for fame. 

To avoid or eliminate further activity, social media platforms must enforce stronger content moderation and clear labeling of sponsored posts. Small, transparent labels at the bottom of the screen no longer cut it. Furthermore, real and credible public health agencies should partner with reliable content creators to deliver engaging, science-based messages. And as a community, people should be more aware of how to verify sources and question quick-fix propaganda.

Ultimately, demolishing this issue requires a collective effort from platforms, influencers and audiences alike. Establishing mechanisms for liability can ensure that accurate information rises above the noise. We must prioritize truth over trends.