Just type the name of the disease you are looking for in the search bar on any social media platform and you will find hundreds, if not thousands, of videos and articles discussing it. Social media has put information at everyone's fingertips, but what impact is this having on how we perceive medical advice? Is it actually reshaping our perspective on sickness?
Not so long ago, seeing a psychiatrist was considered a social stigma that could turn someone from a normal person into a social outcast. Now, thanks to the widespread of mental health content and its importance, society accepts mental illness just like physical illness, and even sympathizes with patients seeking to provide them with support. It has even led to social media support groups that provide a space for patients to support one another and ease their suffering by helping them feel they are not alone. However, some of the advice shared among members may not be medically reliable or suitable for everyone.
Social media has also played a significant role in shedding light on rare diseases; in the past, only patients and those close to them knew about these conditions. However, during the digital era, the impact goes beyond simply acquiring information about these diseases through social media. You can now actually connect with patients all over the world, or even with researchers and doctors.
Social media has become a platform for people to share their personal experiences during their treatment journey for an illness or disorder. This increases empathy and understanding for patient's suffering while offering hope to those facing similar conditions. However, on the other hand, showing personal experiences can lead some people to stop taking certain medicines or following a treatment plan prescribed by a doctor, because it failed with others. Moreover, these experiences can sometimes be used to attract followers or exaggerate struggles to get more views and interactions.
Content creators influence the health choices of the the general public, though some of them provide good content backed by reliable scientific and medical sources, others use social media to promote specific diets or supplements without any trustworthy scientific evidence. According to the World Health Organization, the impact of social media on public decision-making is obvious during a pandemic or outbreak. The dissemination of incorrect or misleading information can trigger panic, prompting individuals to make erroneous choices.
On the other side, social media contributed to raising awareness about some diseases through digital campaigns. This is because they reach a large number of people, their content is easy to share and users can even create content related to the campaign, which increases its reach and success. While awareness campaigns have a positive and effective impact on promoting disease prevention and early screening, an excess of such information can lead to increased anxiety and illness anxiety disorder among certain individuals.
Regarding the negative aspects, social media can sometimes end up shedding light on certain diseases while completely ignoring others. Some studies show that the most widespread diseases on social media receive the largest share of public attention, people even think that they are more dangerous than those that are not mentioned enough, which can be very misleading in many situations.
The matter now poses a greater challenge due to the emergence of artificial intelligence tools, which users are widely relying on as a source of information, even in the health and diseases field. This information may be inaccurate, outdated, or directed to the general public instead of individual cases. Ultimately, social media is a double-edged weapon that must be mindfully utilized to guarantee that information is obtained from credible sources. Consulting specialists remains the optimal approach, for the source of information is far more critical than the speed of its dissemination.
References
researchgate.net
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
who.int
Cover image by Magnific.