TikTok's algorithm amplifies mental health misinformation
A Guardian study found that more than half of the 100 most-viewed TikTok videos offering mental health advice contained misinformation, with influencers promoting unrealistic remedies, misusing therapeutic language, and offering unproven treatments for serious mental health conditions.
What happened
The Guardian analysed the 100 most-viewed videos with the hashtag #mentalhealthtips on TikTok and submitted them to psychologists, psychiatrists and academics for assessment of misinformation content.
Experts found that 52 of the 100 videos containing advice on trauma, neurodiversity, anxiety, depression and serious mental illness contained misinformation, while many others were unclear or unhelpful. Influencers spread misinformation by offering 'quick solutions', misusing therapeutic terminology and promoting unrealistic advice, such as eating an orange in the shower to reduce anxiety or recommending supplements without scientific evidence.
Reported impact
People increasingly turn to social media for mental health support, but the research showed they encounter disputed advice that could cause confusion and harm. Videos presented methods to heal trauma in an hour, displayed normal emotional experiences as signs of borderline personality disorder or abuse, and promoted ineffective or unproven treatments for anxiety and stress.
Index analysis
Dr David Okai, a neuropsychiatrist and psychological medicine researcher at King's College London, found that some videos used therapeutic terminology incorrectly, using terms such as wellness, anxiety and mental disorder interchangeably, which could confuse viewers about what mental illness means.
Videos offered general advice based on limited personal experience and evidence that was not necessarily universally applicable. Short, catchy phrases overshadowed the reality of specialized therapeutic work. While therapy has strong evidence of effectiveness, videos overemphasized it as a solution that works for everyone.
Governance controls
Lawmakers and experts characterised the findings as 'damning' and 'concerning', calling on government to strengthen regulation to protect the public from misinformation spread.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.