Is TikTok a Reliable Source for Medical Information?
Moms have many questions about their baby’s health and development, such as, “Can tummy time be skipped?” We ask the internet and trust the search engine—even if it’s TikTok— to find an accurate answer. But should we?
Social media changes frequently, and today’s popular app, TikTok, is where many mothers hang out. So it begs the question, are TikTok’s answers to a mother’s common questions regarding her baby’s development questions reliable and accurate?
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short videos. Everyone knows that entertaining videos are a popular pastime. Cat videos, anyone?
But if you ask TikTok, “How do I get my baby to love tummy time?” you’ll likely get funny baby videos.
You don’t need that. You need an accurate answer from an expert. Good medical information is often dull. But dull is often trustworthy. Share on X
Would you trust your pediatrician more if they danced and sang your answer? You may be fine with the dancing doctor. But as a physical therapist, I prefer getting answers from a serious and experienced medical professional. Whether they can sing, dance, or make me laugh, does not increase my confidence in what they say about my baby’s health.
Medical Misinformation and Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considers TikTok a goldmine for scammers. I doubt you’re surprised. We all understand that the internet is rife with scams and medical half-truths.
TikTok is in business to gather information about you and sell it to advertisers and others. Do the owners of TikTok care deeply about your baby’s health? It’s a valid question to consider.
I encourage all moms to ask questions, especially to professionals they trust. If you’re struggling with some aspect of your baby’s development, ask your child’s doctor, not somebody online. They know your child best, have the training to sift through the research, and arrive at the best answer to your question.
Your child’s doctor or therapist is vested in providing proper care to you and your baby. They are accountable to a licensing agency and are liable for misconduct. TikTok isn’t.
The Truth No Mom Wants to Hear
Many questions we moms have will have no satisfactory answers. Questions like, “Why is my baby crying? What could happen if I don’t ______? Am I doing this right?” TikTok will not have those answers.
The field of medicine provides scientifically-backed treatments and recommendations, and that’s good. Those recommendations are based on the best science. Not much has changed over the years for basic questions new mothers have.
To many of our questions, a try-this-and-see-what-happens approach is offered. The methods suggested, such as elevating your baby’s head to decrease spitting up, are proven to work most of the time. As a pediatric PT, I also do that in my practice.
No mother wants to “wait and see.” Neither did I. We want to know why and we want to know it now! But that isn’t how parent life works, sadly.
Conclusion
Most answers to basic questions about your baby’s growth and development have stayed the same for decades. If you decide to search online, trusting the established medical groups, such as Pathways.org or the American Academy of Pediatrics, is solid advice.
You can also ask your doctor or other licensed medical professional, like a physical therapist, specific questions about your child. They know your child and the latest best research.
Simply asking a question to TikTok will likely send you on the wrong path, create more questions, and add to your fears and sleepless nights.
You deserve correct answers and peace of mind. That’s what I want for you.
So, write down your questions, ask the doctor or other primary care provider, and enjoy TikTok when you need a laugh.
Where do you go to get answers about your baby’s development?
Need a milestone tracker? Get mine here.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Disclaimer: All information presented is general education and is not intended as specific prescriptions for your child. If you have concerns about any aspect of your baby’s development, talk with your doctor. If your child is receiving any intervention or therapy, this information is not intended to be used without their knowledge.
