Publication

TikTok and Public Health: A Proposed Research Agenda

Authors
Zenone M, Ow N, Barbic S.
Academic Journal
BMJ Global Health
6:e007648.

Abstract

TikTok is a short video sharing social media platform that has grown rapidly since its launch, amassing over 1 billion monthly global users as of September 2021. We argue that public health is served by paying urgent attention to the potential health-related implications of TikTok and suggest research agenda to inform decision-makers, health providers, researchers and the public. Specific research priorities include investigating health-harming product promotion, medical advice/illness portrayal, dis/misinformation spread, sensitive or hateful content dissemination, problematic usage or addiction and platform corporate activity.