We all reach for our phones when we have a question that we need a quick answer for. The digital world is now the go-to for information, not just for adults but for children and young people too. A 2024 report showed that 1 in 3 teenagers now get their health advice from social media apps like TikTok.

Gen-Z use TikTok most often as their go-to search engine, with it being acknowledged as the main source of health information for a third of young people. Of those who used the App for health advice, 41% regretted their decision, while 1 in 11 then went on to experience health problems.

On TikTok, there is a ‘Tok’ – a social feed of specific information – for everything. Whether it’s diabetes-tok, cancer-tok, fitness-tok. Each of these forms the basis of a hashtag that contain videos, some of which have millions of views. Although these might seem like reliable sources, you can’t believe everything you see as not all of it is factual.

Seeking community is natural when we are going through something new or upsetting. However, information on social media is often wrong. A study carried out by the University of Chicago assessed the quality of information in TikTok videos. This research found that nearly half of the videos contained misinformation, with much of the content generated from non-medical professionals.

The advice can range from ‘sunburning’, where sunscreen is forgone, or putting beer onto your skin to boost tan. There’s also the fad for popping a garlic clove up your nostril to clear blocked sinuses. None of these ‘hacks’ are grounded in medical science, but millions of people are viewing this and trying them out.

There are serious risks to undertaking these ‘hacks’, such as worsening symptoms or new illnesses. It is crucial to debunk these myths, to ensure the happiness and health of the child or young person in your care.