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Half of Trending TikTok Mental Health Videos Contain Misinformation, MPs Demand Stronger Rules

Short-form videos misuse therapeutic terms to push unproven remedies that experts warn can worsen distress.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 17: In this photo illustration, the TikTok logo is displayed on a phone on January 17, 2025 in New York City. The Supreme Court unanimously decided to ban the app in the United States. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: In this photo illustration, the TikTok logo is displayed on an iPhone screen on December 06, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., has upheld a law mandating China-based ByteDance to sell the popular social media app TikTok or face a ban in the United States. ByteDance has until January 19, 2025 to sell the company. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • A Guardian investigation reviewed 100 top-trending #mentalhealthtips TikToks and found 52 contained misleading or inaccurate advice.
  • Content analysts highlighted ‘quick fix’ solutions and vague personal anecdotes that misrepresent conditions like PTSD and anxiety.
  • Psychiatrists caution that trivializing serious mental illness with soundbite tips may increase harm for users seeking support.
  • Labour MPs including Chi Onwurah and Victoria Collins have called for updates to the Online Safety Act to compel platforms to tackle harmful health misinformation.
  • TikTok says it works with the World Health Organization and NHS to promote reliable information and remove 98% of harmful content before user reports.