Garlic in your nostrils? Health misinformation is rampant on TikTok, Chicago researchers find
Chicago Sun-Times
Along with dance challenges, memes and an abundance of Taylor Swift fan theories, TikTok has become the home of another type of content: health information. But after conducting a study this year, two University of Chicago researchers are warning of misinformation making its way around the app.
In January, Dr. Christopher Roxbury and rising fourth-year medical student Rose Dimitroyannis analyzed 221 videos posted on sinusitis, or sinus infections, on the app over a 24-hour period. They concluded nearly 60% of the videos they looked at from nonmedical influencers, or TikTok users who didn’t identify themselves as medical professionals, contained inaccurate or misleading information. That compares to nonfactual information in 15% of videos from medical professionals.
Compounding the problem: Videos from nonmedical influencers were far more popular and visible on the app, according to the study.
“It’s kind of a coin toss if something’s accurate or it’s not,” Roxbury said. “I wouldn’t put my health in a coin toss.”
Overall, 44% of all videos included information that those studied described as “nonfactual.” Some videos included in the analysis didn’t seek to spread information or tips, but instead are comedic or serve a different purpose.
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