ADHD and autism misinformation on social media linked to youth self-diagnoses
Experts call for better content moderation on social media platforms.
A new study has found that social media platforms, especially TikTok, are rife with misinformation regarding ADHD and autism, contributing to a surge in self-diagnoses among young people.
Conducted by experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, the research evaluated information on various social media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
The team reviewed 27 studies encompassing 5,057 social media posts.
Findings revealed that TikTok platforms particularly showed elevated misinformation rates, with 52% for ADHD-related videos and 41% for autism-related videos being flagged as inaccurate.
YouTube averaged a misinformation rate of 22%, while Facebook's rate was just below 15%.
The study was published in The Journal of Social Media Research and underscored the critical need for better quality information and more stringent moderation.
The authors highlighted the disparity in misinformation levels across different platforms and stressed the importance of content moderation.
Dr Eleanor Chatburn, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Mental health information on social media matters because many young people now turn to these platforms to understand their symptoms and possible diagnoses.
“TikTok content has been linked to young people increasingly believing they may have mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions.
“While this questioning can be a helpful starting point, it’s important these questions lead to proper clinical assessment with a professional.
“As well as leading to misunderstanding of serious conditions and pathologising ordinary behaviour, misinformation can also lead to delayed diagnosis for people that actually do need help.”
The researchers also noted that content from health professionals tended to be more reliable.
Dr Alice Carter, from UEA, added: “While lived-experience can play an important role, with personal stories helping people to feel understood and raising awareness of mental health conditions, it is vital to ensure that accurate and evidence-based information from clinicians and trusted organisations is also visible and easy to find.
“TikTok’s algorithms are also designed to push rapidly engaging content and this is a major driver of misinformation.
“Once users show interest in a topic, they are bombarded with similar posts – creating powerful echo chambers that can reinforce false or exaggerated claims.
“It is a perfect storm for misinformation to go viral faster than facts can catch up.”
The study authors are urging for improved moderation and evidence-based content to address the misinformation.
A TikTok spokesperson said: “This is a flawed study that relies on outdated research about multiple platforms.
“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.”