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If your teenager does not approach questions of sexual health with you, nor during education in emotional, emotional and sexual life, it is because he probably has another source of information. And she is likely to be called Tiktok. Normal, there can be many subjects linked to sexuality and identity (LGBTQ subjects, pleasure, STI, abortions, etc.). All without judgment. And discover testimonies of young people who look like them. Problem (size) for subjects approaching health: many videos share inaccurate facts.
“Non -professional” videos are full of errors
According to a study presented at the National Conference of theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics At the Colorado Convention Center Center, young adults who turn to Tiktok to obtain information on sexual health are thus confronted daily with disinformation.
To assert this, researchers have created a Tiktok account representing a 15-year-old teenager and examined the 10 most popular videos, published under 10 keywords related to sexual and reproductive health. Data has shown that 21.4 % of videos created by medical non-professional contained inaccurate information (compared to 3.4 % for those created by health professionals). The types of disinformation varied, but included dangerous advice, such as the trigger for an abortion.
Data has also shown that more than a quarter, or 26.7 %, of videos containing research related to abortion contained inaccurate information, compared to 4.3 % of other medical videos.
In health, imprecision becomes a danger
Although the subject of abortion is currently much more delicate in the United States than in France, letting your own children have their sex education through this networks must challenge.
“This highlights the urgency for educators, parents and public health officials to improve sexual and reproductive health education and control of social media”concludes Angeli Sirilan, first author of the study.
An observation that finds echo in Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical. “Social networks participate in health disinformation. Inaccurate or deceptive content can compromise the prevention and sex education of young people. And expose them to inappropriate advice, misunderstandings, and in risky behaviors.”
The fact of believing or following scientifically validated information can both:
- Harm physical and mental health;
- Delay the use of appropriate care;
- Strengthen false stigmata and ideas, especially on female pleasure or safe sexual practices.
How to inform yourself reliably (including on Tiktok)?
To avoid these dangers, it is recommended not to trust Tiktok only to learn about sexual health. If parents are not the first choices of adolescents, they should be sent to qualified professionals. “CAs general practitioners, gynecologists, midwives, sexologists, for validated, personalized and adapted information “. It is also recommended to speak with confidence to overcome taboos and get informed advice.
However, the doctor recognizes it, Tiktok is a major source of sex education for generation Z. “It is therefore urgent to advance towards better regulation and content validated by experts on these platforms “.
The right attitude? Stay vigilant, learn to spot false information, complete and check their learning with reliable sources.