Paging Dr. Google

During a sleepover, a friend complains that your snoring is keeping them awake. You pull out your phone and search “How to stop snoring.” Several videos suggest sleeping with a piece of tape over your mouth to quiet your nighttime noises. Should you try it?

The answer is no! That’s because when it comes to your health, you need to be very careful about taking advice from the internet. In fact, research has found that up to 87 percent of social media posts about health contain misinformation. Yikes! 

For example, taping your mouth to stop snoring is a trend that went viral on TikTok. Despite influencers’ claims that it’s a miracle cure, there just isn’t enough research available to determine if it actually works. And doctors say mouth taping could even be dangerous for people who have allergies or other breathing conditions.

Fortunately, there is reliable health information online. The key is knowing how and where to look for it. Ask yourself these five questions the next time you’re searching for answers to your health concerns.

You know that one friend who always tells you the truth? You want the same for online health advice. Website addresses help. “If you Google a disease or a symptom, look for sites that end with .gov, .edu, or .org,” says Dr. Nusheen Ameenuddin. She’s a pediatrician who studies social media. Those endings mean the sites belong to the government, an educational institution, or a nonprofit organization. The info is more likely to be up-to-date and to have been reviewed by experts—both good things.

If you go to the hospital, you want to see a doctor, right? The same goes for online health searches. But a lot of people posting health content on social media have zero background in health or science. They may not know how to interpret scientific studies. They may not understand how the human body works. As a result, they may give inaccurate or even dangerous advice. 

To figure out if someone is qualified to give you medical advice, check their title. Do they have an M.D. (doctor of medicine) or a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy, a title that scientific researchers often have)? If not, do they have another certification or degree that shows they know their subject? You can also do a quick Google search to see whether they are connected to a legitimate hospital or university. If you can’t find any proof that they’re qualified to give medical advice, that’s a red flag.

Your favorite influencer is raving about a fruit juice that has improved their sleep, cured their stomach issues, and helped their hair grow. Before you order an extra-large bottle, ask yourself if this is real health information or an advertisement. “If you read something that promises you instant results or a cure, it’s probably misinformation, and it’s not going to help you,” says Dr. Ameenuddin. In other words, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is!

Influencers often sound convincing, but that doesn’t mean they know what’s best for you. In fact, one study found that influencers with more followers tend to have fewer educational qualifications. The bottom line: Legitimate health providers will never try to sell you a product.

In the medical world, proof is required! Even top experts in their fields will provide backup for what they’re saying. They may link to scientific studies or data from a reputable official organization, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization.

Scientists and physicians rely on research to understand what treatments can help patients. Studies also provide useful information about treatments that don’t work and might even be harmful to your health. So if you find health information that makes claims or offers advice without providing proof, keep scrolling. The same goes for personal anecdotes. While personal stories can be powerful, they should never replace evidence-based information. 

You’ve read several expert opinions on a trustworthy site associated with a hospital, and you’ve even checked out the studies cited. What’s next? Now’s the time to check in with a trusted adult. Even the most reliable health advice may not be the best fit for every teen. “Young people’s bodies can work differently than adults’ bodies,” says Dr. Ameenuddin. “For example, people under 18 shouldn’t take aspirin unless directed by a doctor, because there can be serious consequences.”

An adult may be able to help determine if it’s safe to follow the online advice. They also might suggest asking your pediatrician, which is always a smart move, says Dr. Ameenuddin. “Your doctor has all of your personal health information and can let you know if certain types of activities or medications might interact with your body in a way that isn’t safe.”