TikTok Could be Used to Stop COVID-19 Misinformation in Teens

TikTok is a growing social platform that saw massive growth amid the pandemic. Teenagers, teachers, and several organizations agree TikTok can be used to educate teenagers about COVID-19.

15-year-old Josie Pearson revealed in a phone interview that a lot of those her age are unaware of the risks of COVID-19. She claims many of her peers are misinformed or uninformed.

Further, many teens do not care to take precautions against COVID-19. "Most my age do not follow coronavirus guidelines. Many do not use their masks properly and party outside school," revealed Pearson.

When asked where teens like Pearson are getting information about coronavirus, she said teachers and social media are their main sources, VPR reported.

Teachers Feel Obliged to Pass Information on COVID safety

Pearson's history teacher Aimee Alexander goes to extra lengths to educate her classes about the pandemic. She shares current events and health guidelines. She believes such information is critical for people to stay alive during the pandemic.

Alexander further revealed some of her students received misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. She said her students felt the vaccine was not safe

"High schoolers rely on teachers for critical information," English teacher Kyle Behrsing explained. He says he feels obligated to answer questions from students such as "What is the science behind social distancing?"

Behrsing adds that some students do not believe in coronavirus. As such, those students are less likely to follow health guidelines.

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High Schoolers at Low Risk, But The Risk is There

Health Commissioner Mark Levine revealed that high schoolers are less likely to suffer the worst effects of coronavirus. Still, the possibility of teenagers contracting the disease cannot be ruled out. "In terms of their ability to transmit coronavirus, high schoolers are just like adults," Levine revealed.

However, teens may not be receiving the information they need, or rather it is sent inefficiently. For example, principals may send out newsletters, but none is required to inform the students of anything.

Ted Fisher of the Vermont Agency of Education confirms this: "We do not necessarily tell schools what they should tell families. Neither do we require passing certain information."

Student Suggests Use of TikTok

Sophomore student Pearson suggested that health care professionals make their own TikTok accounts. "They can reach out to kids and teens with like a dance, something we would definitely watch," Pearson revealed.

TikTok plays a pivotal role in promulgating information about COVID safety. With abrupt school closures and increasing compliance to social distancing, non-educational screen time among youth escalated, NCBI reported.

It is one of the platforms young people use to stay connected with the outside world. It plays an important role in the re-socialization of youth amid the pandemic.

One valuable way to use social media is to educate young adults about the seriousness of the pandemic. For instance, TikTok has almost 50 million active users in the U.S. alone. Over 60 percent is below 29 years old, the NCBI report reveals.

It is important now more than ever to counteract inaccurate medical information being passed around on social media. The NCBI reports health care professionals and young adult patients are using TikTok to spread awareness about COVID-19.

However, there are currently twice more inaccurate and misleading health information and advice. As such, the demand for healthcare-related videos on TikTok is not met. As such, health care practitioners need to be creative in educating and dispelling myths about COVID-19.

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