Americans Trust Social Media Over Doctors’ Opinions, Study Finds
By Movieguide® Contributor
A new study finds that the majority of Americans trust social media and AI over the opinion of their doctors.
“The poll of 2,000 adults finds many will turn to the web for ‘accurate’ information regarding their health before asking their physician,” StudyFinds reported. “In fact, significantly more people consult healthcare websites (53%) and social media (46%) than a real-life doctor (44%). Nearly three-quarters (73%) believe they have a better understanding of their health than their own doctor does.”
The study, conducted by OnePoll, also discovered that while 44% of British people do not trust AI to give answers about health issues, just 6% of Americans shared that opinion.
Forbes also reported on this phenomenon, writing that “one-third of Gen Zers consult TikTok for health advice and another 44% turn to YouTube before turning to their doctor.”
“Overall, one in five Americans reportedly consult TikTok before their doctors when seeking treatment for a health condition; the same proportion said they trust health influencers more than medical professionals in their community,” they continued. “The top reasons include accessibility (37%), affordability (33%), and approachability (23%). Nearly one in five (17%) said they turn to influencers to avoid judgment from medical professionals or because they don’t have access to a medical professional.”
Some of the theories about why this is include confusion over what health insurance may or may not cover, embarrassment over their symptoms and people seeking a second opinion.
Dr. Kien Vuu, a former professor of Health Sciences at UCLA, cautioned people against becoming too reliant on these alternate forms of diagnosing.
“While these tools offer convenience and immediate access to information, significant concerns and limitations exist, particularly for complex health issues,” he said.
AI has become a major issue, from worries about what it might mean for the entertainment industry to concerns from major governing bodies. Movieguide® previously reported:
The European Union just made history as the first legislative body to pass legislation regulating the use of AI technology.
“Europe has positioned itself as a pioneer, understanding the importance of its role as a global standard setter,” said Thierry Breton, the European commissioner who helped negotiate the deal to approve the AI Act, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Breton called the legislation “historic,” saying they set “clear rules for the use of AI.”
“[It’s] much more than a rulebook — it’s a launch pad for EU start-ups and researchers to lead the global AI race,” he said, per the BBC.
The AI Act was passed by the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament after a 36-hour negotiation.
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