Concerns raised over accuracy of online mental health information, with TikTok deemed a ‘minefield’ for misleading content on ADHD and autism.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) examined more than 5,000 posts across platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X (formally known as Twitter), finding widespread inaccuracies in mental health content.
The team analysed more than 5,000 social media posts about mental health topics including autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, OCD, anxiety and phobias.
They concluded that TikTok contained the highest levels of misinformation, particularly on neurodivergence topics such as ADHD and autism.
Dr Eleanor Chatburn, for UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: ‘Our work uncovered misinformation rates on social media as high as 56%. This highlights how easily engaging videos can spread widely online, even when the information isn’t always accurate.
‘Social media has become an important place where many young people learn about mental health, but the quality of this information can vary greatly. This means that misleading content can circulate quickly, particularly if there aren’t accessible and reliable sources available.’
The study found more than half of ADHD-related videos and around two-fifths of autism videos contained inaccuracies, compared with 22% on YouTube and just under 15% on Facebook.
Dr Alice Carter, who conducted the research as part of her doctoral thesis, said: ‘When we looked closely at TikTok content, studies reported that 52% of ADHD-related videos and 41% of autism videos analysed were inaccurate.’
‘Mental health misinformation on social media matters because many young people now turn to these platforms to understand their symptoms and possible diagnoses,’ she added.
‘As well as leading to misunderstanding of serious conditions and pathologising ordinary behaviour, misinformation can also lead to delayed diagnosis for people that actually do need help.’
This problem is ongoing. Separate research from The Guardian in 2025 found more than half of the top 100 videos on TikTok under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag contained misinformation.
This content frequently features unqualified creators offering dangerous and oversimplified advice, with around 14% of these videos deemed potentially damaging.
Some videos were discovered to suggest individuals alter medication without consulting a doctor first.
Against this backdrop, the study found content from healthcare professionals was far more reliable, but remains a small proportion of what users see. Dr Carter said: ‘In the case of ADHD on TikTok for example, just three per cent of professional videos contained misinformation – compared to 55% of videos by non-professionals.’
While researchers said more work is needed in this area, the team have called for improved content moderation, standardised tools for assessing online mental health information and clearer definitions of misinformation.
The research can be read in full here.
Image: Tech Insider/UnSplash
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