A significant concern has emerged regarding the accuracy of mental health and neurodivergence information circulating on social media, with a recent study revealing that over half of such content may be misleading or unsubstantiated. This issue is particularly pronounced on platforms like TikTok.
The comprehensive analysis, which examined approximately 5,000 social media posts, found that a staggering 56 percent of content pertaining to conditions such as autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and phobias was often inaccurate or lacked credible evidence.
Neurodivergence Information a Hotspot for Misinformation
Researchers identified that posts focusing on neurodivergent conditions, including autism and ADHD, exhibited higher rates of misinformation compared to other mental health topics. Eleanor Chatburn, a co-author of the study from the University of East Anglia in England, commented on the findings, stating, “Our work uncovered misinformation rates on social media as high as 56 per cent. This highlights how easily engaging videos can spread widely online, even when the information isn’t always accurate.”
The research team meticulously analysed 27 existing studies that investigated the veracity of mental health and neurodivergence information across a range of social media platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Platform-Specific Misinformation Rates
The prevalence of misinformation varied considerably across different platforms and specific mental health topics. While some areas, such as videos on anxiety and depression on YouTube Kids, showed a reported 0 percent misinformation rate, other topics presented a starkly different picture. For instance, videos discussing MRI claustrophobia on YouTube were found to contain misinformation in 56.92 percent of cases.
TikTok emerged as a significant concern, consistently showing higher rates of misinformation than its counterparts. Specifically, ADHD-related TikTok videos contained misinformation in 52 percent of instances, while autism-related TikTok videos had a misinformation rate of 41 percent. In contrast, YouTube averaged around 22 percent misinformation, and Facebook showed a considerably lower average of just under 15 percent.
Young People Turning to Social Media for Health Information
Chatburn highlighted that social media has become a primary source of information for many young people seeking to understand mental health. This reliance, coupled with the rapid dissemination of engaging but potentially misleading content, poses a significant risk, especially when accessible and reliable sources are not readily available.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in seven individuals aged 10-19 experiences a mental disorder, contributing to 15 percent of the global disease burden in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
The study’s authors noted that many young people now turn to social media platforms to research their symptoms and explore potential diagnoses. “TikTok content has been linked to young people increasingly believing they may have mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions,” Chatburn explained.
Risks of Self-Diagnosis and Delayed Treatment
While self-questioning can be a valuable initial step, the researchers cautioned that it must ultimately lead to a formal clinical assessment by a qualified professional. They warned that the spread of misinformation risks pathologising normal behaviours and exacerbating misunderstandings of serious mental health conditions.
The consequences of this misinformation can extend beyond incorrect self-diagnosis. “When false ideas spread, they can feed stigma and make people less likely to reach out for support when they really need it,” Chatburn added. Furthermore, encountering misleading advice about treatments, particularly those lacking scientific evidence, can significantly delay individuals from receiving appropriate and effective care.
Platform Responses to the Study
In response to the study’s findings, a spokesperson for TikTok stated, “This is a flawed study that relies on outdated research about multiple platforms.” They added, “The facts are that we remove harmful health misinformation and provide access to reliable information from the WHO, so that our community can express themselves about what matters to them and find support.”
YouTube also addressed the study, informing Euronews Health that the platform prioritises highlighting videos from credible sources when users search for health-related topics. A spokesperson elaborated, “We work with licensed medical and mental health experts to make it easier for people to find trusted health information on YouTube. We also have specific protections in place for teens, remove harmful medical misinformation, and age-restrict content that isn’t appropriate for younger audiences.”
This article has been updated to include the responses from TikTok and YouTube. Facebook, Instagram, and X were approached for comment.
