IN NEWS that surprises no-one, a study from LaTrobe University has revealed that TikTok is responsible for sharing unreliable birth control advice.

Researchers analysed 100 TikTok videos on contraceptive health that had gained nearly five billion views and 14.6 million likes in total.

More than half of the videos’ creators rejected hormonal birth control, and 34% expressed distrust in health professionals.

Meanwhile, fertility awareness and cycle tracking (38%) and the pill (35%) were the hottest topics of discussion.

“Many TikTok creators promoted natural contraceptive methods like fertility tracking without disclosing their limitations, which include accurately tracking hormone fluctuations, motivation and partner cooperation,” said lead researcher Dr Moel-Mandel.

“Importantly, they failed to mention that these methods are generally ineffective when used on their own.”

Only 10 percent of the videos that the researchers analysed came from health professionals – the rest were from influencers sharing their own experiences or self-proclaimed “hormonal health coaches”.

Co-author and La Trobe lecturer in public health Megan Bugden suggested that public health organisations collaborate with social influencers to promote accurate information in a manner that resonates with younger audiences.

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