Dr TikTok will see you now
From viral TikTok health hacks to Instagram remedies, Gen Z is bypassing traditional health sources and flocking to social media for medical advice. But is this trend more of a symptom or a solution in today’s digital age? Let’s take a Deep Dive.
🤕 A recent survey found that most Gen Zs are turning to TikTok to seek bitesize and free health advice, particularly in wellness, diet and fitness.
💊 Misinformation is a major concern. Health advice on platforms like TikTok is often not fact-checked, which can lead to confusion, or worse, dangerous trends—like DIY health fixes that lack scientific backing.
👾 High engagement, follower counts and likes do not guarantee the accuracy of health advice provided by content creators, say experts.
QUOTABLE
“When we see an account with millions of followers and videos with an endless stream of positive comments from other users, our first thought is that the information shared must be true. However, likes and engagement are by no means an indication of an influencer’s trustworthiness.” — Walter Gjergja, chief wellness officer of Zing Coach
BY THE NUMBERS
56% A survey revealed that 56 percent of Gen Z users consider TikTok their primary source for health and wellness advice.
84% Studies indicate that a staggering 84 percent of mental health-related videos on TikTok contain misleading information.
700,000 There are nearly 700,000 videos under the hashtag #healthtips on TikTok.
1 One out of 11 Gen Zs had health issues after following a TikTok health hack.
QUIZ
Which of the following health trends went viral on social media?
A. Ice baths
B. Menstrual masking
C. Ground cloves for toothache
D. All of the above
Scroll to the bottom for the answer.
DID YOU KNOW?
One recent TikTok trend claimed that taping your mouth shut while sleeping would improve breathing, but the benefits are mostly anecdotal and not backed by enough scientific evidence yet.
THE EDIT
🩺 The system is broken. Seventy-two percent of young women feel dismissed by doctors, pushing them to seek relatable insights from online personalities.
🧓 Generational gap. About 33 percent of Gen Z and 25 percent of millennials use social media for health discussions, while only 5 percent of baby boomers do the same.
👀 Unverified claims. Some of the worst advice on TikTok include eye mucus fishing and bed rotting.
WATCH
This video reveals that nearly half of TikTok health videos contain non-factual information, predominantly shared by non-medical influencers.
THE FULL PICTURE
How do Zoomers decide whom to trust on TikTok? Six out of 10 Zoomers trust health videos on TikTok if they come from a professional, while 10 percent take the influencer’s follower count into consideration.
GEN.T x INNOPARK
The construction industry is often perceived as labour-intensive and male-dominated, leading to a talent shortage. However, Adeline Leung, vice president of Smart Technology Global (STG), is committed to challenging this outdated notion. Collaborating with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, her family’s rebar manufacturing business is undergoing a significant shift from manual labour to technology-driven processes. Read more about how Adeline is leading the change.
KEY PLAYER
Arshie Larga
At 28 years old, Arshie Larga, a pharmacist from the Philippines, has established himself as a key figure in public health education through his engaging presence on platforms like TikTok, where he passionately shares insights on pharmacy, medicine and healthcare to his 4.1 million followers and beyond.
HONOUREE TO KNOW
Joey Kee
Joey Kee is a Malaysian clinical psychologist turned entrepreneur who founded Ripple Community to address the stigma and high cost of mental health care. The website offers prompt and reasonably priced access to a wide range of therapists with different specialisations.
ONE FINAL THING
Not all trends are bad: the rise of mental health awareness on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has led to a more open conversation among Gen Z about therapy and self-care.
NEXT TIME
The answer to the quiz is D (All of the above). Read more about ice baths, menstrual masking and cloves for toothache.