Study: Misleading ADHD Information Spreading on TikTok
Health information on TikTok can be misleading
Content regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on TikTok often contains inaccurate claims, according to new research. A recent study indicates that over half of the assertions made in widely viewed TikTok videos about ADHD contradict established clinical guidelines. This discrepancy raises concerns that individuals may be incorrectly self-diagnosing the condition based on social media content.
Prevalence and Perception of ADHD
Globally, approximately 1% of the population is affected by ADHD, as reported by the Global Burden of Disease study. The diagnosis rates of ADHD are currently under discussion, with some experts suggesting that the actual percentage of individuals with the condition could be higher than current figures indicate.
TikTok’s Influence on ADHD Understanding
Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC), led by Vasileia Karasavva, investigated the impact of social media on public understanding of ADHD. The team analyzed the 100 most popular videos under the hashtag #ADHD on TikTok, collected on January 10, 2023. These videos had amassed nearly 496 million views and an average of 984,000 likes, demonstrating significant reach.
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Analysis of Claims and Expert Evaluation
Each video analyzed presented an average of three claims related to ADHD. Two psychologists assessed each claim against the DSM-5, a standard diagnostic manual for mental disorders, to determine clinical accuracy. The evaluation revealed that only 48.7% of the claims aligned with DSM-5 criteria for ADHD symptoms. Notably, over two-thirds of the videos attributed common human experiences or minor issues to ADHD, which experts deemed unrelated to the disorder.
Karasavva stated, “We had experts evaluate the top 100 most popular videos, and their findings indicated a significant mismatch with established scientific literature. This discrepancy is a cause for concern.”
Comparing Expert and Student Perceptions
Psychologists rated the videos for accuracy on a scale of 0 to 5. Subsequently, 843 UBC students reviewed videos categorized by psychologists as either highly accurate or inaccurate in their portrayal of ADHD. Students were then asked to rate the videos themselves.
Clinically accurate videos received an average score of 3.6 from psychologists, but a lower average of 2.8 from students. In contrast, videos with low clinical accuracy were rated 2.3 by students, significantly higher than the psychologists’ average score of 1.1.
Impact on User Recommendations and Perceived Prevalence
Students were also surveyed about their likelihood of recommending the videos and their perceptions of ADHD prevalence in society. Karasavva explained, “Increased exposure to ADHD-related content on TikTok correlated with a higher likelihood of recommending videos and perceiving them as both helpful and accurate.”
Broader Implications for Online Health Information
David Ellis from the University of Bath, UK, commented on the wider context, stating, “It raises questions about the generalizability of these findings to all health-related content on TikTok and across the internet. Despite widespread access to health information, misinformation remains prevalent online. TikTok merely reflects this broader reality.”
Challenges in Mental Health Information
Ellis further suggested that inaccurate health information may be even more pronounced in the realm of mental health. Mental health conditions often rely on observational diagnoses rather than definitive objective tests, potentially increasing the spread of misinformation.
Recommendations and TikTok’s Response
Karasavva believes that banning ADHD videos on TikTok would be “unhelpful,” even those containing misinformation. Instead, she suggests, “Increased participation from experts in creating online video content could be beneficial. Furthermore, individual users should adopt a more critical and discerning approach to the content they consume.”
TikTok, while declining to comment on the specific study, informed New Scientist that the platform takes action against medical misinformation. They advise users seeking guidance or diagnosis related to neurological conditions to consult qualified medical professionals.
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