TikTok is proving to be an increasingly popular and poor source for birth control advice among young people, according to new research.
Lead researcher Dr Caroline de Moel-Mandel, from La Trobe’s School of Psychology and Public Health, says TikTok is proving to be a growing source of contraceptive information for young adults.
But, she adds, much of that content is unreliable and incorrect which puts pressure on young people to sort fact from fiction.
TIKTOK VIDEO ANALYSIS FINDINGS
- The published study from La Trobe University in Melbourne analysed 100 TikTok videos on contraceptive health that had a cumulative total of nearly five billion views and 14.6 million likes.
- It found 53% of TikTok content creators had clearly rejected hormonal birth control while 34% distrusted health professionals.
- The most commonly discussed topics were fertility awareness and cycle tracking (38%) and the pill (35%).
- Only 10% of the analysed videos were from health professionals; the rest featured first-hand experiences and beliefs from influencers and others, or advice from self-proclaimed ‘hormonal health coaches’ or wellness educators.
“Many TikTok creators promoted natural contraceptive methods like fertility tracking without disclosing their limitations, which include accurately tracking hormone fluctuations, motivation and partner co-operation,” Dr Moel-Mandel says.
“Importantly, they failed to mention that these methods are generally ineffective when used on their own.”
She says this misinformation, coupled with a growing distrust of health professionals, can result in, ultimately, unplanned pregnancies.
Co-author and La Trobe lecturer in public health Megan Bugden says that while videos from health professionals tend to gain more likes and followers, the TikTok algorithm amplifies the voices of influencers by giving them greater reach over those of medical experts.
“Social media is reshaping health care providers’ relationships with patients,” Megan says.
“We encourage health professionals to rebuild trust through shared decision-making on contraceptive options, which may increase patient satisfaction and mitigate unreliable information posted online.”
Given TikTok’s widespread reach, women’s and public health organisations also have a significant role to play, researchers say.
“Young people deserve accurate information to make informed contraceptive health decisions, regardless of background or resources,” Megan says.
“Public health organisations should collaborate with social influencers to promote safe and effective contraceptive information through messages that resonate with younger audiences.”
