Adolescents Obtain Pharmaceutical Information from YouTube, TikTok, and Wikipedia, According to Research Study - Youngsters relying on digital sources like YouTube, TikTok, and Wikipedia for acquiring medical knowledge
A Shift in Health Information Sources: Teens Turn to YouTube, TikTok, and Wikipedia
According to a new study, digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Wikipedia are emerging as primary sources of medical information for teenagers. The findings highlight a shift in how adolescents are engaging with wellness and health-related content.
YouTube led the list with 27% of teens citing it as their go-to source, followed closely by TikTok at 26%. Wikipedia ranked third with 25% of respondents. Health portals such as Gesundheit.de received 19% of votes, while health insurance company websites garnered 18%.
"There is a potential risk in using digital sources that may contained questionable content for health research," warned Christoph Straub, CEO of Barmer. He emphasized the importance of strengthening digital health literacy to distinguish trustworthy resources from those that may lack scientific merit.
Social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with their vast library of easily accessible and engaging videos, are attracting substantial attention from teenagers seeking health-related content. However, there are growing concerns regarding the impact of social media on mental health, with 47% of U.S. teens reporting that it negatively affects their peers' wellbeing[1].
While Wikipedia might not be the initial choice for many, it remains a common starting point for quick, general health information. Health portals, often operated by medical institutions or large health organizations, provide more structured, vetted information, likely sought by those desiring in-depth and reliable knowledge[2][5].
Health insurance company websites, though less popular, offer practical information about accessing healthcare services, insurance coverage, and preventive care, serving as valuable resources for teens navigating healthcare systems on their own or transitioning between pediatric and adult care[2][5].
New technologies, such as telemedicine and health apps, are expanding teens' access to medical care and information, promoting flexibility and privacy. Adolescent medicine specialists work to empower teens to take charge of their health through confidential care and tailored services that cater to their physical, emotional, and social needs. This professional guidance complements the informal health information teenagers encounter online[5].
In summary, social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok serve as initial discoverers and engaging touchpoints for medical topics among teens. Traditional and institutional online resources, such as Wikipedia and health portals, offer reputable and detailed information to support their findings. Health insurance websites are practical albeit less frequented sources, while advances in adolescent medicine, telemedicine, and health apps facilitate teens' navigation of health issues by providing professional guidance and privacy[1][2][5].
This trend reflects a hybrid approach wherein social media encourages initial discovery and engagement, while traditional and institutional online resources offer authoritative support, all within a context of growing wellness consciousness and increasing mental health challenges among teenagers.
- The Commission, in its role as a regulator, has been consulted on the draft directive aiming to safeguard the mental health of young people, considering the increased exposure to potential risks on digital platforms.
- To foster health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, and mental-health awareness among teenagers, it's crucial to educate them on digital health literacy, helping them discern reliable resources from questionable content.
- As part of a comprehensive approach to empowering teens and enhancing their self-development, learning opportunities on health and wellness topics can extend from informal online sources to professional guidance from adolescent medicine specialists.
