Risks of Misinformation on TikTok Concerning Birth Control Discovered

Recent research from La Trobe University has raised concerns over the proliferation of misleading birth control information on TikTok, which could pose serious health risks to young women. The study examined 100 popular TikTok videos related to contraceptive health, amassing nearly 5 billion views and 14.6 million likes. It found that over half of these videos (53%) rejected the use of hormonal birth control, while about one-third (34%) showed distrust toward healthcare professionals.

The most discussed topics were fertility awareness techniques and cycle tracking (38%) and the oral contraceptive pill (35%). Notably, the study revealed that only 10% of videos were created by qualified health professionals, with the majority originating from influencers, self-proclaimed wellness coaches, and individuals sharing personal experiences.

Lead researcher Dr. Caroline de Moel-Mandel emphasized that much of the content promotes natural methods of contraception without clearly explaining their limitations, which include challenges in accurately tracking hormonal changes and the need for consistent motivation and partner cooperation. She warned that this misinformation, coupled with growing skepticism towards medical professionals, could lead young women to make unsafe reproductive choices, potentially resulting in unplanned pregnancies.

Additionally, the study highlights the risk posed by content creators who promote fertility awareness and cycle tracking as reliable methods without emphasizing their generally low effectiveness when used alone. This misinformation can undermine confidence in proven contraceptive methods.

While health professionals' videos tend to receive more engagement, TikTok’s algorithms favor influencer content, giving their messages broader reach than expert advice. Public health experts like Megan Bugden suggest that healthcare providers should actively work to rebuild trust and promote shared decision-making regarding contraception.

In response, women's health organizations are urged to collaborate with social media influencers to ensure young audiences have access to accurate, reliable information about contraceptive options, fostering safer reproductive health decisions.

This study underscores the importance of critical evaluation of social media content and the need for credible health communication to counteract misinformation on platforms like TikTok.