Social media is where we scroll, laugh, and learn — but it’s also where bad health info spreads fast. During COVID, posts full of fear or fake “facts” went viral, and it hasn’t stopped. New research shows that wrong or misleading health content online can mess with people’s real-life choices, from skipping vaccines to following shady diets.
The problem? It’s super hard to tell what’s real. Algorithms push what’s popular, not what’s accurate. People fall into echo chambers, surrounded by others who believe the same things. And when official sources are slow to respond, users turn to whatever fills the silence — even if it’s false.
Doctors and health orgs are now being asked to step in, not just in clinics, but online. The goal? Understand what people are searching for and meet them where they are — before bad info becomes bad decisions. Social media isn’t just a platform anymore. It’s part of the health system.
Szilágyi Mónika
