1 in 3 Gen Z men turn to social media for health advice – NBC Chicago

With access to what seems like a never-ending flow of information online, some Gen Z men are relying on social media for their health advice.

New Survey Reveals Shocking Trend

One out of three Gen Z men in the U.S. are turning to social media for their health information, according to a recent survey from the Cleveland Clinic. The survey polled 1,000 U.S. men ages 18 and older over the summer and compared the health concerns of American men from different generations.

Fact-checking Health Advice Online

Experts warn that relying on social media for health advice can be risky. Fact-checking health information online is important, and experts who spoke to CNBC Make It in April of this year shared four signs to spot medical misinformation online.

4 Signs of Medical Misinformation Online

Here are four indicators that a post online is sharing health misinformation, according to Dr. Seema Yasmin, author of “What The Fact?!: Finding the Truth in All the Noise,” a guide for media literacy, and Deen Freelon, professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania:

1. It sounds too good to be true: You should question the accuracy of any health information that includes words like “cure, 100% effective [and] guaranteed,” Yasmin said.
2. It plays at your emotions: Health information posts that prompt emotional responses can be designed that way “to get us to fall for lies,” and share them with others, Yasmin noted. “Falsehoods are often designed to provoke a reaction.”
3. It’s selling a cure that you’ve never heard of, that isn’t backed by science: If you come across a social media post that’s promoting an alternative cure for a condition, Freelon said you should be skeptical about its credibility and double-check that it’s being shared by a reputable health organization. “There are lots of people who have business models that are built on this,” Freelon said.
4. It seems made up: If it “seems a little bit ridiculous, or [like] science fiction really,” then that’s a red flag, Freelon said. “The sorts of things that start to fall apart, when you start asking even the most basic questions.”

Experts’ Tips

Yasmin and Freelon suggest always identifying the source of health information that you come across online. Think about if the source is “really the person who should be speaking on this topic,” Yasmin said, or if they have “a long track record of distributing medically dubious information,” Freelon said. You should also always seek out trusted news sources for health information, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or state health organizations, and check to see if they’re reporting similar claims to what you’ve seen online.

Conclusion

With the increasing reliance on social media for health advice, it’s crucial to fact-check health information online to avoid falling victim to misinformation. Remember to be cautious of health information that sounds too good to be true, plays on your emotions, sells a cure without scientific backing, or seems made up. Always seek out trusted sources of information and double-check the credibility of any health information before sharing or taking action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is medical misinformation?
A: Medical misinformation is false or misleading information about health, illness, or disease that is spread online.

Q: Why is fact-checking health information important?
A: Fact-checking health information is important to ensure that the information you share or act upon is accurate and reliable, and to avoid falling victim to misinformation.

Q: What should I do if I come across medical misinformation online?
A: If you come across medical misinformation online, do not share it, and instead report it to the social media platform and seek out trusted sources of information.

Q: Can I always trust my social media friends’ health advice?
A: No, you should not always trust your social media friends’ health advice, as it may not be accurate or reliable. Instead, always fact-check health information online and seek out trusted sources of information.