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The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
More than half of top 100 mental health TikToks contain misinformation, study finds
More than half of all the top trending videos offering mental health advice on TikTok contain misinformation, a Guardian investigation has found. People are increasingly turning to social media for mental health support, yet research has revealed that many influencers are peddling misinformation, including misused therapeutic language, 'quick fix' solutions and false claims. Those seeking help are confronted with dubious advice, such as eating an orange in the shower to reduce anxiety; the promotion of supplements with a limited evidence base for alleviating anxiety, such as saffron, magnesium glycinate and holy basil; methods to heal trauma within an hour; and guidance presenting normal emotional experiences as a sign of borderline personality disorder or abuse. MPs and experts said the findings that social media platforms were riddled with unhelpful, harmful and sometimes dangerous mental health advice were 'damning' and 'concerning', and urged the government to strengthen regulation to protect the public from the spread of misinformation. The Guardian took the top 100 videos posted under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag on TikTok and shared them with psychologists, psychiatrists and academic experts, who took a view on whether the posts contained misinformation. The experts established that 52 out of 100 videos offering advice on dealing with trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression and severe mental illness contained some misinformation, and that many others were vague or unhelpful. David Okai, a consultant neuropsychiatrist and researcher in psychological medicine at King's College London who reviewed the anxiety- and depression-related videos, said some posts misused therapeutic language, for example using wellbeing, anxiety and mental disorder interchangeably, 'which can lead to confusion about what mental illness actually entails', he said. Many videos offered general advice based on narrow personal experience and anecdotal evidence, which 'may not be universally applicable', he added. The posts reflected how 'short-form, attention-grabbing soundbites can sometimes overshadow the more nuanced realities of qualified therapeutic work' on social media. The videos also over-emphasised therapy. 'While there is strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of therapy, it's important to emphasise that it's not magic, a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution,' he said. Dan Poulter, a former health minister and NHS psychiatrist who reviewed the videos about severe mental illness, said some of them 'pathologise everyday experiences and emotions, suggesting that they equate to a diagnosis of serious mental illness'. 'This is providing misinformation to impressionable people and can also trivialise the life experiences of people living with serious mental illnesses.' Amber Johnston, a British Psychological Society-accredited psychologist who reviewed the trauma videos, said that while most videos contained a nugget of truth, they tended to over-generalise while minimising the complexity of post-traumatic stress disorder or trauma symptoms. 'Each video is guilty of suggesting that everyone has the same experience of PTSD with similar symptoms that can easily be explained in a 30-second reel. The truth is that PTSD and trauma symptoms are highly individual experiences that cannot be compared across people and require a trained and accredited clinician to help a person understand the individual nature of their distress,' she said. 'TikTok is spreading misinformation by suggesting that there are secret universal tips and truths that may actually make a viewer feel even worse, like a failure, when these tips don't simply cure.' TikTok said videos were taken down if they discouraged people from seeking medical support or promoted dangerous treatments. When people in the UK search for terms linked to mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, autism or post-traumatic stress disorder, they are also directed to NHS information. Chi Onwurah, a Labour MP, said the technology committee she chaired was investigating misinformation on social media. 'Significant concerns' had been raised in the inquiry about the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act in 'tackling false and/or harmful content online, and the algorithms that recommend it', she said. 'Content recommender systems used by platforms like TikTok have been found to amplify potentially harmful misinformation, like this misleading or false mental health advice,' she added. 'There's clearly an urgent need to address shortcomings in the OSA to make sure it can protect the public's online safety and their health.' The Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins agreed the findings were 'damning', and urged the government to act to keep people safe from 'harmful misinformation'. Paulette Hamilton, the Labour MP who chairs the health and social care select committee, said mental health misinformation on social media was 'concerning' . 'These 'tips' on social media should not be relied upon in place of professional, suitably qualified support,' she said. Prof Bernadka Dubicka, the online safety lead for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said that although social media could increase awareness, it was important that people were able to access up-to-date, evidence-based health information from trusted sources. Mental illness could only be diagnosed through a 'comprehensive assessment from a qualified mental health professional', she added. A TikTok spokesperson said: 'TikTok is a place where millions of people express themselves, come to share their authentic mental health journeys, and find a supportive community. There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which opposes this free expression and suggests that people should not be allowed to share their own stories. 'We proactively work with health experts at the World Health Organization and NHS to promote reliable information on our platform and remove 98% of harmful misinformation before it's reported to us.' A government spokesperson said ministers were 'taking action to reduce the impact of harmful mis- and disinformation content online' through the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to tackle such material if it was illegal or harmful to children. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- General
- Sunday World
Probe reveals why massive cargo ship ran aground in Norway, narrowly missing man's house
In an incident that made headlines around the world, the 135-metre cargo vessel, the NCL Salten, ran shore just before 5am on Thursday The view from the window of Helberg's house of the ship in his garden Johan Helberg spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky An investigation has revealed the reason why a massive container ship ran aground in Norway, narrowly missing one man's house. In an incident that made headlines around the world, the 135-metre cargo vessel, the NCL Salten beached just before 5am on Thursday after entering the Trondheim fjord on its way to the western town of Orkanger. Local man, Johan Helberg, spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky. 'I went to the window and was quite astonished to see a big ship,' Helberg told the Guardian. 'I had to bend my neck to see the top of it. It was so unreal.' The view from the window of Helberg's house of the ship in his garden The ship's second officer, who has admitted to having fallen asleep just before the incident, has been charged with negligence in connection with the incident. However, he has since claimed that the bridge alarms had been switched off before the ship grounded. This has been confirmed by Norwegian authorities who launched an investigation to determine the events that led up to the incident. They have established that the navigation watch alarm system (BNWAS) on the ship was already switched off by the time it came ashore. A local newspaper, NRK, has reported that an official with the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) said the grounding could have been avoided if the BNWAS had been switched on. The ship remained stuck aground on Thursday after the first attempt to remove it was unsuccessful but it has since been refloated and towed to Orkanger. Local authorities have determined that none of the local houses were damaged and that no injuries or oil spills occurred as a result of the mishap. An astonished neighbour recalled watching the ship, which was travelling at about 16 knots (approximately 30kmh), heading straight for the shore into Helberg's garden, narrowly missing his house. Helberg, who lives in Byneset, near Trondheim, slept through the entire drama and only awoke when his neighbour rang his doorbell. Johan Helberg spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky News in 90 Seconds - May 31st 'Normally ships turn left or right into the fjord. But this went straight ahead,' Helberg, who has lived in the house for 25 years, added. 'It was very close to the house.' North Sea Container Line, the operator of NCL Salten, has confirmed that it is cooperating in the investigation into the mishap. NCL's chief executive, Bente Hetland, said there was 'no reason to believe this was intentional'. 'Incidents like this should not happen, and we have started an investigation into the causes. Today, we are relieved that there were no injuries, and our main focus is on the people near the ship and our crew,' she added.
CNET
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Elden Ring Nightreign is a Drag to Play Solo. Here's Why It's Way Better With Friends
I've never been one to bristle at calling in help while playing one of FromSoftware's Souls games. I stalked the night all by myself in Bloodborne, but I played through Elden Ring with my best friend using the Seamless Co-Op mod -- only after I explored the game alone, the way I prefer it. While I don't have any qualms with calling for help or using spirit summons (as far as I'm concerned, these are tools in my arsenal to level the playing field), I do enjoy trying to take on the game all by myself the first time around, slaying massive enemies and making epic discoveries by my lonesome. So I embarked on my first Elden Ring Nightreign expedition alone with steely resolve, readying myself to charge into battle as the defense-oriented Guardian class (called Nightfarers in the game). I collected enough runes to get to level five, survived until nighttime and was promptly kicked straight back to the lobby when a duo of Demi-Human bosses passed through a cloud of miasma and beat the stuffing out of me. This became a bit of a trend while playing solo -- I never reached the end of an expedition by myself. I know I'm afflicted with what is colloquially known as a skill issue, and that's what led me to struggle so much with Nightreign's solo experience. As a matter of fact, I was so soured by my single-player runs that I didn't even think I liked Nightreign until I got a chance to queue into a multiplayer lobby. Though once I got my posse together, I quickly fell in love with the game. Thankfully, players may not suffer quite as much playing solo thanks to a day-one patch that looks to buff players going it alone, according to Eurogamer. But there are still key pieces of the design here that create extra friction for the solo experience, and it takes a lot of extra effort to work around that. If you're extremely good at FromSoftware's usual dark fantasy action RPGs, you'll probably excel here. But if you're an average player, you'll quickly run into these problems. If you wish to stand a fighting chance in Elden Ring Nightreign, you need to work together as a coordinated squad. Bandai Namco/Screenshot by CNET Elden Ring Nightreign revolves heavily around team composition I'm used to having many different tools in my arsenal when I'm approaching an Elden Ring boss. Even when I specialize my character for a strength build, I can depend on the Wondrous Physick and spirit summons to help me power through a tough battle. In Nightreign, each individual player has far fewer tools at their disposal. You have your wits, your weapon, any items and arts of war you stumbled upon and your Nightfarer abilities. Some of these abilities are useful by themselves, like Ironeye's dagger slash that gives him multiple precious invincibility frames (as well as bonus damage on the affected enemy) and Duchess' time rewind that stacks up tons of damage instances at once. But most abilities require a team to capitalize on them in order to feel truly effective. Ironeye's ultimate ability is timely to set up, but it does massive poise damage, staggering an enemy for a melee character to follow up with a critical hit. When I played by myself, I found that each role I committed to floundered without support from other people. The Guardian tanked hits but wouldn't have the stamina to follow-up with big damage. As Ironeye, I was under constant melee pressure, preventing me from consistently peppering my opponents with ranged damage. The Wylder might be the best all-rounder of the Nightfarers, especially with his one-time death-escaping passive, but there were still situations where I wished I had other players to chip away at the boss from far away while I dodged around its feet. Nightreign feels like a smooth and natural experience when you plan ahead and cover other people's weaknesses. I had the most luck when I played the ranged Ironeye and matched up with another CNET reviewer and a Bandai Namco employee who played as a tank and a melee attacker respectively, allowing me to stagger bosses by firing arrows at their weak spots from afar. If you're ever rooted in one place, you're frittering your precious time away. Bandai Namco/Screenshot by CNET Speed is key -- and you go slower alone Unlike the leisurely pace you can take in previous FromSoftware games, there's no time to take in the grandeur of Nightreign's version of The Lands Between. From the moment you land on day one to the end of night two, it's speedrunning time. Every round involves an anxiety-inducing calculus of balancing your leveling and your looting: By the time you face the Nightlord (the final boss of an expedition) in night three, you want to be at least level 12 and have a good mix of weapons, passive buffs and extra healing flasks. This is tough enough in multiplayer, where runes are distributed to every nearby member of the team regardless of who struck the final blow on an enemy and bosses are more easily staggered and dealt with between three Nightfarers. Navigating the map's randomized locations requires a lot of game knowledge and team unity. Taking Nightreign's expeditions on alone is a different story entirely. You're in charge of personally farming every rune you need to level up while still making your way to enough churches to stock up on healing flasks. Getting bogged down in boss fights for too long is a delayed death sentence, because you're wasting your most valuable resource: time. Still, you need the valuable weapons and passive buffs that boss enemies drop, so you'll have to beat down some of the tougher enemies you stumble across. The most powerful buffs of all are located in the game's Shifting Earth events that change a portion of the map during each run. These can be volcano-like craters or misty, hidden cities that house some of the hardest bosses and most valuable loot in the game, but you'll almost never be able to take these on by yourself before the circle closes in around you. I'm confident that I could overcome many of the challenges in Elden Ring Nightreign solo, given enough chances and time. But the clock was so against me that I never felt that I had the time to get strong enough. The game simply moves too quickly for me to be playing alone, and I think many other solo players will likely feel the same way. If you want to build a powerful team to take on the epic action RPG challenges that FromSoftware is lauded for, then you'll feel right at home with Elden Ring Nightreign. If you're a casual player looking for a good solo experience, I reckon you'll have to wait for another Souls game entirely (and you'll probably want to skip upcoming Switch 2 exclusive FromSoftware game The Duskbloods, too, which looks like it could inherit a lot of Nightreigns' multiplayer gameplay).
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
guardian launches MYguardian rewards in its guardianMY app
Guardian Malaysia has officially launched MYguardian Rewards, a brand-new, fully digital loyalty programme integrated within its guardianMY app. This innovative platform aims to redefine the everyday shopping experience for Malaysians by offering a gamified and personalised approach centred around well-being. Launched at a vibrant event in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 29 May 2025, featuring a hot air balloon fiesta and a special concert by the iconic hip-hop group KRU, MYguardian Rewards marks a significant step in Guardian's mission to empower Malaysians to 'Own Your Beautiful' through a focus on wellness, value, and everyday enjoyment. Priscilla Wu, Managing Director of Guardian Malaysia and Brunei, stated, 'The MYguardian Rewards platform is more than just a typical loyalty initiative. It's an intuitive digital ecosystem specifically designed for our customers. It's built for YOU, the customers of Guardian, offering immediate, personalised rewards and exclusive experiences with every scan – and best of all, it's FREE.' One App, Instant Rewards: The MYguardian Rewards programme prioritises simplicity and immediate benefits, offering: Instant Points & Rebates: Earn points with every purchase and redeem them instantly both in-store and online. Automatic Contest Entries: Every purchase automatically enters members into contests. Daily Offers: Access to exclusive daily deals. Personalised Birthday Treats: Special rewards during members' birthday month. Student Pass Tuesdays: Students over 21 years old can enjoy an extra 10% discount on Tuesdays by showing their student ID. Generous Sign-Up Bonuses: New members receive 10 times the reward points on their first purchase and a complimentary RM250 Guardian voucher upon registration. A Night to Remember To celebrate the official launch, guardian hosted a special MYguardian Rewards Fiesta at TRX, featuring a soaring hot air balloon experience, interactive booths, and an electrifying concert headlined by legendary hip hop group KRU, making it a night to remember for fans and members alike. A Purpose Beyond Profit 'At guardian, we believe that beauty and wellness go hand in hand with responsibility,' said Priscilla. 'MYguardian Rewards reflects our vision to build a healthier, more empowered community—while making every shopping experience feel like a celebration. We want our customers to 'Own Your Beautiful. Take charge of your well-being, your rewards, and your future.' Sign up for the MYguardian Rewards programme on the guardianMY app today and start earning the rewards you deserve.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Baba Vanga chilling prediction on 2030 COVID comeback goes viral as India reports spike in cases
Baba Vanga chilling prediction on 2030 COVID comeback goes viral as India reports spike in cases I t has been more than four years since the world began to emerge from the worst health crisis in a century—COVID-19. But even in 2025, the scars from that period remain vivid and raw. The lockdowns, the mass exodus of migrant workers, overflowing hospitals, oxygen shortages, economic meltdowns, and widespread grief are still etched in public memory. According to the latest data by Worldometers, as of April 2024, over 70 lakh lives were lost globally to COVID-19, with a staggering 704,753,890 confirmed cases reported. While most of the world had moved on to 'living with the virus', a sudden resurgence of cases in 2025 has triggered fresh anxiety. This latest spike, particularly in India, is drawing not just medical but also mystical attention—thanks to eerie predictions made by Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, dubbed Japan's Baba Vanga. Her 1999 book, 'The Future as I See It,' had accurately predicted the arrival of an 'unknown virus in 2020' and warns of its 'return in 2030' with greater devastation. Amid a renewed wave of infections in India, her prophecies have returned to the spotlight, making an already tense atmosphere even more unsettling. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo Baba Vanga of Japan 'Ryo Tatsuki's' chilling 2030 COVID prediction resurfaces While governments and health agencies focus on science and surveillance, the public has increasingly turned to Ryo Tatsuki—a Japanese manga artist who claimed to have prophetic dreams. In 1999, Tatsuki published a book titled 'The Future as I See It' in which she made dozens of predictions based on visions that came to her in nightmares. The most chilling prophecy reads: 'An unknown virus will come in 2020, will disappear after peaking in April, and appear again 10 years later.' Not only did Tatsuki's prediction match the COVID-19 timeline in 2020—when India and most of the world saw a major peak in April 2020—but her warning about the virus's return in 2030 has begun to recirculate widely on social media. Many believe the small resurgence in 2025 is a prelude to something bigger. She further warned that the return would be deadlier and more widespread, with 'greater devastation and loss of life.' Internet reacts: Social media buzz and public fear Following the sudden rise in cases and resurfacing of Tatsuki's prophecy: Hashtags like #TatsukiPrediction, #COVID2030, and #PandemicProphecy began trending on X (formerly Twitter). Numerous TikTok videos, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels are comparing current data with Tatsuki's 1999 book. Online forums have seen a surge in conspiracy theories, with some comparing her accuracy to that of Nostradamus and Baba Vanga. While many remain skeptical, the psychological impact of such predictions amid a real health crisis cannot be ignored. COVID-19 in 2025: The current status of the resurgence in India After months of near-zero infections and minimal hospitalizations, India has seen a sudden and alarming uptick in COVID-19 cases in May 2025. According to Times of India reports: As of May 27, India has crossed the 1,000 mark in active COVID-19 cases. Just a week ago, the figure stood at 257 cases, indicating a four-fold increase within days. Symptoms confuse diagnosis: COVID-19 vs. flu or common cold Doctors across India have also warned of overlapping symptoms between the new COVID-19 variant and the common cold or flu, making it increasingly difficult to diagnose without a proper test. Common symptoms being reported include: Mild to moderate fever Persistent cough Fatigue Nasal congestion Loss of smell or taste (in some cases) Headaches and body aches This similarity has led many patients to either ignore symptoms or self-medicate, delaying timely treatment or isolation—thus facilitating community spread. What experts are saying: New variant or just a seasonal spike Although there is no confirmed report of a new, more infectious or dangerous variant, virologists and health officials are not ruling out the possibility. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is currently studying samples from the most-affected regions. According to initial findings: The XBB subvariant of Omicron remains dominant. The cases are mild, with very few requiring hospitalization. No surge in mortality has been reported so far. However, what makes this wave concerning is the speed of its spread and the resurfacing of international air travel as a risk vector—something authorities are beginning to monitor closely. Government response: Are we prepared this time The Indian government, so far, has taken the following measures: Issued advisories for increased testing in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Suggested mask mandates in hospitals, airports, and public transport in affected areas. Stockpiling of antiviral drugs and COVID-19 vaccines is underway, though no mass vaccination drive has yet been announced. Also read | Baba Vanga's chilling prediction comes true: The device that's becoming a silent killer for all ages Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
