British experts have warned that more than half of the most popular videos on TikTok related to mental health promote misleading information, posing serious risks to users dealing with complex psychological conditions.
A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed that users turning to TikTok for instant relief and solutions to deal with trauma, depression, or anxiety may end up feeling worse after following inaccurate advice.
Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told the newspaper:
“TikTok spreads misinformation by suggesting the existence of universal secret truths that can make viewers feel worse, as if they’re failing—when, in reality, the advice is overly simplistic and ineffective.”
She added:
“Each video wrongly suggests that everyone experiences PTSD the same way, with symptoms that can be easily explained in a 30-second clip.”
The study analyzed the 100 most popular TikTok videos under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, which were later reviewed by psychology professionals to assess their accuracy and potential harm.
Experts classified 52 of these videos—offering advice on trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and other serious disorders—as misleading. Many clips contained vague claims and lacked any real therapeutic value.
The experts criticized the content for misusing clinical terminology, offering advice based on personal anecdotes, making sweeping generalizations, and downplaying the complexity of mental health disorders.
They warned that such advice could distort public understanding of mental illness, and urged government regulators to enforce stricter safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation.
In response to the study, TikTok claimed to offer a platform for millions of users to express themselves and share their “authentic” mental health journeys.
A spokesperson for the company told The Guardian:
“There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which appears to oppose freedom of expression and implies that people shouldn’t be allowed to share their personal stories.”
— Al Arabiya
(window.globalAmlAds = window.globalAmlAds || []).push('admixer_async_509089081')
(window.globalAmlAds = window.globalAmlAds || []).push('admixer_async_552628228')
Read More
Apple Introduces Haptic-Enhanced F1 Ad Experience on iPhone
Security Flaw Exploits Air-Gapped Computers Using Smartwatches
SteelSeries Launches “Arctis Nova 3 Wireless” Headset with Smart Sound App
British experts have warned that more than half of the most popular videos on TikTok related to mental health promote misleading information, posing serious risks to users dealing with complex psychological conditions.
A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed that users turning to TikTok for instant relief and solutions to deal with trauma, depression, or anxiety may end up feeling worse after following inaccurate advice.
Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told the newspaper:
“TikTok spreads misinformation by suggesting the existence of universal secret truths that can make viewers feel worse, as if they’re failing—when, in reality, the advice is overly simplistic and ineffective.”
She added:
“Each video wrongly suggests that everyone experiences PTSD the same way, with symptoms that can be easily explained in a 30-second clip.”
The study analyzed the 100 most popular TikTok videos under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, which were later reviewed by psychology professionals to assess their accuracy and potential harm.
Experts classified 52 of these videos—offering advice on trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and other serious disorders—as misleading. Many clips contained vague claims and lacked any real therapeutic value.
The experts criticized the content for misusing clinical terminology, offering advice based on personal anecdotes, making sweeping generalizations, and downplaying the complexity of mental health disorders.
They warned that such advice could distort public understanding of mental illness, and urged government regulators to enforce stricter safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation.
In response to the study, TikTok claimed to offer a platform for millions of users to express themselves and share their “authentic” mental health journeys.
A spokesperson for the company told The Guardian:
“There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which appears to oppose freedom of expression and implies that people shouldn’t be allowed to share their personal stories.”
— Al Arabiya
