If you’re like most people, you get a lot of your information from social media, health and wellness advice included. Beware, a lot of it is misleading, reports Devi Shastra for AP News.
Forty percent of adults get their health advice from social media or podcasts, according to a Pew survey. And, many of the influencers upon whom people rely have no health expertise. They might be entrepreneurs, life coaches or parents. So, don’t take their words as gospel.
Just because someone is a coach does not make them an expert. Even people with expertise might not have expertise on the topic they are advising on. Make sure you understand what the experts in the field saying before you act on social media advice.
Be aware that people with sound expertise will usually not generalize about a diagnosis but rather suggest that it is a possibility in some cases.
Remember that social media influencers are generally making money off their advice. They are financially motivated to advise people the way they do. They have a conflict of interest.
In short, don’t trust social media advice until you’ve thoroughly vetted it. Talk to your doctor.
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