Social media misinformation and youth safety risks

Research has identified significant misinformation regarding mental health on TikTok. An analysis of the top 100 videos under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag revealed that more than half contained inaccurate or misleading information. Experts, including psychiatrist Dan Poulter, warned that creators often mischaracterize normal human experiences, such as fatigue or sadness, as clinical symptoms of disorders like depression. This trend may cause individuals to misinterpret emotional fluctuations as serious illnesses or trivialize actual conditions.

Further concerns have been raised regarding the broader safety of young people on social media. In Malaysia, consultant Saiful Hamiruzzaman Mohd Hazir noted that children under 16 may use these platforms to seek information outside of parental or school guidance, which can lead to risks such as grooming and sexual exploitation. Additionally, researchers like David Okai highlighted that influencers frequently misuse therapeutic language or offer oversimplified solutions for complex issues like trauma and anxiety.