Study reveals teenagers are turning to social media for health advice as they’re too embarrassed to talk to their doctor or parents
A recent study has revealed that nearly a third of teenage girls are turning to Google or social media platforms like TikTok for health advice before consulting a doctor. The research, conducted by the teen health and wellbeing app Luna, found that out of 2,500 young people surveyed, 31% of teenage girls sought answers online.
Only 27% of teenage girls would approach their parents or guardians for advice. Luna discovered that 31% of teenage girls look for answers on the internet. As a result, Luna is urging parents to foster an environment of non-judgmental conversations at home, so children feel at ease seeking advice from them and medical professionals.
The study suggests that one of the main reasons teenagers turn to social media or the internet is feelings of embarrassment or shame, which prevent them from visiting a doctor. There’s also the issue of discomfort in discussing these matters with their parents, with 19% admitting they avoid the doctor because they don’t want their parent or carer to be aware.
Luna’s experts suggest that to alter this trend, parents may need to actively reassure their tweens or teens that they are always available for a chat about anything. While Luna’s specialists acknowledge it’s challenging to encourage a young person to open up, they emphasise that it’s not about having all the answers, but about being a trusted presence where they’re listening without reacting harshly or jumping to conclusions, reports Bristol Live.
The research participants revealed what would encourage them to speak openly about their concerns. The researchers also recommend frequent check-ins to establish trust gradually and demonstrate to young people that discussing sensitive or bewildering subjects is acceptable.
Jo Goodall, Co-Founder of Luna, commented: “We’ve got to change the way teen girls feel about opening up about their health. It’s distressing to hear that such a high number won’t go to their doctor or their parents about health issues and will simply resort to searching TikTok or Google for the answer.
“While there can be some useful advice online, there’s a mass of misinformation that can do more harm than good. That’s why we created Luna – to be a safe and positive space for teens to learn about their health and wellbeing.
“And though it’s not always easy to do this, the more supported teens feel at home to have open conversations about their health and wellbeing, the less likely they are to turn to unverified or harmful sources, which can make matters worse. A single open conversation could be what protects their health in the long term.”
“There are youth, especially those with social anxiety or depression, who may have a tendency to spend more time online and reduce their real, face-to-face contact with other folks,” Anne Marie Albano, PhD, director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders said.
“When an individual is not engaging in the world in a healthy way—interacting with others, managing themselves in challenging situations…speaking up in class, dealing with conflict with peers—this can exacerbate their feelings of alienation, hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, and depression.”