Summary
A study found that some sexual health advice on TikTok, especially about abortion, can be misleading. Researchers analyzed videos and discovered that inaccurate information is more common in videos made by non-medical professionals compared to those by healthcare professionals. TikTok users often turn to the platform for health advice, so the study suggests improving education on sexual health and social media literacy.
Key Facts
- The study involved creating a TikTok account to represent a teenager and searching for sexual health videos.
- Researchers analyzed 100 videos based on accuracy and whether medical professionals made them.
- 21.4% of non-medical professional videos contained inaccurate information, while only 3.4% of those by medical professionals did.
- Videos about abortion contained more inaccuracies compared to other health videos.
- More than 58% of analyzed videos were made by healthcare professionals and were more accurate.
- TikTok is viewed as a useful tool for sharing health information among teens, but misinformation is a concern.
- The study suggests stricter control over inaccurate videos and highlights the role of social media companies in managing misinformation.
- The reliability of the study’s accuracy ratings was reportedly 98%, ensuring unbiased results.
