8 hours agoStudy raises concern: Over 50% of the most popular mental health videos on Tik Tok contain dezinforms
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)More than 50% of the most watched videos in TikTok that offer mental health advice include dezinforms, thus reportedly in an investigation published by The Guardian, sparking serious concerns between field experts and British MPs. The investigation included analyzing 100 of the best-known videos posted under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, [...]
The investigation included the analysis of 100 best-known videos posted under the #mentalhealthtips, which were assessed by a group of psychologists, psychiatrists and academics. Of these, 52 were described as inaccurate or dangerous because of the spread of wrong information about anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental disorders.
Experts criticised the use of therapeutic terms outside of context, simplified suggestions on complex issues, and promoting non-divine treatments such as eating oranges in the shower to reduce anxiety or use unadvanced supplements.
Many of these videos pathology normal everyday feelings and present experiences as serious mental illness”, Dr. Dan Powlter, psychiatrist and former health minister.
Amber Johnston, clinical psychologist, warned that many videos create the wrong impression that trauma treatment is fast and universal, while reality requires personal attention from qualified professionals.
Social platforms under criticism
British MPs reacted sharply to the findings, naming them as “disturbing” and “sentenceing”. They demanded by the government the strongest overhaul of digital content, especially those directly affecting citizens' mental health, especially young people.
TikTok's “algorithms are amplifying dezinformation related to mental health”, said Chi Onwurah, chairman of the Technology Committee in the British Parliament. She added that there are apparent shortcomings at the Online Security Act, which needs to be reinforced to address this problem.
TickTok defends himself
In response to the criticism, TikTok said his platform is an open place for personal expression and the sharing of authentic experiences, but that 98% of the mental health harmful content is removed before reporting, according to the company.
Platform also said it co-operates with O BSH and NHS to provide accurate information and direct users to reliable sources.
Meanwhile, experts continue to warn that although social media can help with awareness, they cannot replace professional diagnosis and specialised support in the field of mental health.
