Work

Debate: Standing up for science – how to combat misinformation in child mental health? Five recommendations for disentangling fact from fiction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The rising use of digital technologies and social media means that individuals, including young people, are increasingly searching for and consuming health-related information online. Although there are benefits to this, there has also been an increase in health-related misinformation, with growing concerns about the impact of this in the context of child mental health. This debate article outlines what misinformation is and why it is an issue in child mental health, before considering the impact that misinformation can have in relation to decision-making, help-seeking, medical mistrust, and stigma. Drawing on experiences with science communication, five recommendations are then presented for combating misinformation, focusing on what individuals can do when confronted with misinformation, how to have conversations with others about misinformation, and what can be done to promote digital literacy.

Source: Child and Adolescent Mental Health

DOI: 10.1111/camh.70055

Authors: Nina Higson‐Sweeney, Douglas Badenoch, André Tomlin

Institution: University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Misinformation and Its Impacts

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,520