"A study reveals TikTok leads social media platforms in spreading misinformation about ADHD and autism, directly impacting teenagers' mental health."
A recent study conducted by the University of East Anglia in collaboration with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust revealed that TikTok tops social media platforms in spreading misinformation about mental health. The study analyzed over 5,000 posts across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X.com, to assess the accuracy of the information shared.
Study Findings: TikTok Tops the List
Key results include:
- 52% of TikTok videos about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) contained inaccurate information.
- 41% of videos on autism contained misleading or unverified content.
Dr. Alice Carter from the University of East Anglia noted a significant difference between content created by health professionals (only 3% misinformation) and content posted by non-professionals (55% misinformation).
These results place TikTok far ahead of other platforms in terms of misinformation, surpassing YouTube (approximately 22% inaccurate) and Facebook (around 15%).
TikTok’s Algorithm and Its Impact on Youth
One major factor behind this spread is TikTok’s algorithm, which prioritizes viral content over accuracy. Once a user engages with a mental health topic, the platform feeds them a stream of similar content, regardless of whether it is accurate or not.
Dr. Carter explains:
"TikTok’s algorithms are designed to rapidly distribute engaging content, allowing misinformation to spread faster than corrections can keep up."
This issue particularly affects teenagers, who often turn to TikTok to understand their own symptoms. Misleading content can lead to self-diagnosis errors and delays in receiving proper medical care. The World Health Organization reports that 1 in 7 young people aged 10–19 experience a mental health disorder, making them highly vulnerable to unverified content.
Comparison with Other Platforms
- YouTube Kids: No misinformation was detected regarding anxiety or depression, and only 8.9% of ADHD-related videos contained inaccuracies, thanks to strict moderation and age-appropriate content selection.
- Standard YouTube: Results varied widely depending on the channel and topic.
- TikTok: The platform rejected the study’s conclusions, calling them “biased,” while claiming it removes harmful health misinformation and directs users to trusted sources like the WHO.
A separate 2025 study by Université de Montréal found that fewer than 21% of TikTok mental health videos cited a scientific source, with the most problematic content often presented as educational while being misleading. In the U.S., up to 40% of TikTok users rely on the platform as a search engine, even for medical queries.
Importance of the Issue
- Raising awareness among users, especially teens, about the risks of misleading health information on social media.
- Encouraging platforms to increase the presence of qualified digital health professionals to ensure trustworthy content.
- Improving algorithms to reduce the spread of misinformation.
The study highlights that TikTok requires stricter oversight to ensure accurate mental health information reaches teenagers, protecting them from self-diagnosis errors and delayed care.