Latest news with #NationalChildHealthPoll
SBS Australia
6 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
Would you seek health advice from TikTok? Why experts are sounding fresh cautions
It's billed as relatable content — ordinary people offering advice on common health dramas, beauty and lifestyle hacks and medical developments. But experts are increasingly cautioning about the dangers of unqualified influencers offering health advice or warning people off certain medical devices and treatments. For children and young women, there are fresh warnings to be alert to misinformation. New research by The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has found two two-thirds of teens are getting health information from social media, with many trying trends they see online. The leading topics they follow are fitness, skincare and diet. The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1,400 Australian parents and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. Almost half of the teenagers said what they see on social media later makes them wish their bodies were different. Year 9 student Willow said social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such as sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she told AAP. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." Willow said she had seen peers trying trends such a switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she said. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." Paediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll, Dr Anthea Rhodes, said it was important to teach children how to identify evidence-based health information. "The teen years are a time of self-discovery and curiosity — for influencers and marketing giants, however, this can provide the potential for big business in a relatively vulnerable population," she said. Concerns about reproductive health content Public health experts have raised concerns about some of the content related to reproductive health on social media. In a recent study, La Trobe University researchers looked into the rise of contraceptive misinformation on TikTok, analysing 100 TikTok videos on contraceptive health between August and September 2023 with the hashtags #birthcontrol, #contraception, #thepill, #naturalbirthcontrol and #cycletracking. The researchers acknowledge the study is constrained by limitations, including a potential for selection bias, the relatively small sample size, and the inclusion of English-language only videos. Even so, during that period those videos had collectively gained 4.85 billion views and 14.6 million likes. According to the study, published in the journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, just 10 per cent of the videos sampled were created by medical professionals. The researchers found more than half — 53 per cent — of TikTok content creators clearly rejected hormonal birth control, while about a third — 34 per cent — expressed distrust in health professionals. Megan Bugden, the report's co-author and a lecturer in public health at LaTrobe, said a lot of the advice given on TikTok is based on personal experience and beliefs rather than medical advice or evidence. Bugden said most of the influencers analysed explicitly endorsed natural birth control methods, methods known as 'fertility awareness'. But she said the videos failed to disclose any potential limitations, which can include motivation, partner cooperation and biological variabilities. She said what's worrying is that it will mislead a large proportion of young people by over-emphasising the reliability of the method — failing to discuss the potential risks of unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Need for accurate, reliable content She said there was a real opportunity for public health practitioners to join these platforms and disseminate accurate, reliable, non-judgmental content that's easily accessible to a huge range of people. "We need to be partnering with trusted online voices that have this huge reach with young people and ensure that they're getting access to non-biased information that is informing their contraceptive beliefs and therefore then decision making." She added that while videos by health professionals gained on average more likes and followers, TikTok's algorithms amplify influencers' voices, giving them greater reach than medical experts. Budgen urged people to seek credible contraceptive advice — that just because someone says they're a doctor or wears a lab coat, it doesn't mean they can be trusted. "Always ask your medical practitioner as well. Go in and have a discussion around some of the ideas you've seen online and ask how credible they are and how reliable they are, and ask them for evidence. You can always ask your GP for the clinical guidelines relating to any sort of medical recommendation that they're suggesting." TikTok declined to comment when contacted by SBS News. — With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Body image concerns as teens seek health advice online
Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Body image concerns as teens seek health advice online
Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
West Australian
6 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Body image concerns as teens seek health advice online
Teenagers risk being exposed to misinformation and harmful body image content as they turn to social media for health information. Research published by The Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday found that while two-thirds of teens get health guidance from social media, more than a third wished their bodies were different after viewing content. Fitness and diet are among the most popular topics being accessed by teenagers on the platforms. Year 9 student Willow told AAP social media can be a harmful place as it applies pressure for young people to fit certain societal standards of beauty and body image. She said health and wellness treatments such sun tanning were widely discussed among friends at school and on social media, making them hard to avoid. "Recently I've seen (content) romanticising tan lines," she said. "It's probably not the best thing for young skin or those more prone to melanoma." The National Child Health Poll surveyed more than 1400 Australian parents, and one of their children aged between 12 and 17 years old. It found that many teens make health decisions based on social media content, with more than a third having tried or considered something new after seeing it online. Willow said she had seen peers trying trends like switching to retinol in their skincare routines, which isn't recommended for young people. Almost all young people aged 12 to 17 years use social media, with three quarters reporting it hard to know what is true and untrue. Pediatrician and director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said it was critical teens questioned what they saw online and learned how to find trustworthy health information. "They're being presented with huge amount of content that's often quite persuasive. It may be emotive and engaging and offers solutions or advice to common challenges that we know teenagers face," she told AAP. "This really leaves them quite vulnerable to being misled." From December, people under 16 will no longer be able to create accounts on social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook ,TikTok and YouTube. The study found that 86 per cent of teens and parents interviewed believed children under 16 years will still find ways to access social media once the regulation is introduced. 'Young people are still faced with a huge amount of information to navigate once they do hit 16 and can legally enter that social media space," Dr Rhodes said. Lifeline 13 11 14 Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
West Australian
27-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Flu vax hesitation sends kids to emergency in droves
Emergency rooms around Australia are noticing a spike in children's flu admissions, as a survey reveals one in six kids are unvaccinated. Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital has seen a 27 per cent increase in flu cases compared to the previous year, with many unvaccinated children requiring hospitalisation. The survey of almost 2000 parents revealed 36 per cent were unaware healthy children can get seriously unwell from the flu. The hospital's national child health poll found 17 per cent of children would not be vaccinated against the flu this year, with some 22 per cent of parents still unsure whether they would vaccinate their kids. Director of the National Child Health Poll Anthea Rhodes said the research shows significant knowledge gaps still exist among parents when it comes to the flu. "Unfortunately, it means parents are unintentionally putting their kids at risk because they don't have the right health information," she told AAP. The research also found hesitant parents were twice as likely to say they did not know where to find trustworthy flu vaccine information online and three times as likely to distrust information from their child's doctor or nurse. Dr Rhodes said this could be due to vaccine fatigue felt by a number of people following the COVID-19 pandemic. But she said it was important to remember that vaccination reduces the risk of catching the flu by 50 to 60 per cent and significant lowers the severity of the illness. She said even healthy children could run into complications of heart, kidney and brain inflammation if not vaccinated against the flu. The survey found one in six children had a needle phobia so intense their parents reported it prevented them from getting vaccinated. Others said the vaccine was too costly or they just didn't have the time. Dr Rhodes said while programs through local councils and GPs were available, more research was needed to investigate whether the flu vaccine could be introduced to the school immunisation rollout. "In the UK, for example, they do have school based programs where they have an intranasal flu vaccine product," Dr Rhodes said. "One of the main challenges for Australia to date has been getting that product available to enable delivery in schools, because the flu strain changes each season. "But certainly in the future we are continuing to work towards solutions like that would be a really big game changer for families when it comes to the flu." It is not too late to vaccinate, she said. In Victoria, flu vaccinations are free for children until they turn five while family members over five can generally receive the vaccine for low cost. Western Australia and Queensland are offering free flu vaccinations for all age groups but this initiative has not been adopted nationwide.
