A sweeping analysis of TikTok’s most popular mental health advice videos has found that more than half contain misleading or incorrect information, raising alarms among healthcare professionals and policymakers about the social media giant’s growing influence on health behaviors worldwide. The investigation, which assessed 100 top-trending mental health advice clips on TikTok, concluded that 52 of these videos included some form of misinformation, often offering dubious quick fixes, misused psychological terminology, and claims devoid of scientific backing. As TikTok becomes a key source of health information for millions—especially the young—these findings highlight urgent global and Thai concerns about digital literacy, the risks of self-diagnosis, and the need for effective regulatory and educational responses.
Why does this matter for Thailand? With over 40 million users in the Kingdom and a rapidly growing adolescent digital population, TikTok sits at the heart of youth culture. Thai society is already grappling with rising anxiety, depression, and suicide rates among young adults. In this context, accessible and trustworthy digital mental health information is vital—but the latest research suggests TikTok could be a double-edged sword. Misinformation about serious mental health issues, from bipolar disorder and PTSD to depression and neurodivergence, can delay or derail access to professional care, distort public understanding, and fuel stigma. This is especially acute in Thailand, where mental health stigma remains high and psychiatric services are stretched thin, particularly in rural regions (source).
A closer look at the recent Guardian and Engadget studies reveals four key types of misinformation recurring across TikTok’s #mentalhealthtips clips.
First, many videos “pathologize normal emotions,” according to academic reviewers, interpreting everyday stress, tiredness, or fleeting anxiety as signs of serious psychiatric disorders. For instance, feeling upset about a friend’s changed plans or having trouble concentrating at work is sometimes presented, without nuance, as evidence of borderline personality disorder or depression (source). This diagnosis-by-internet risks trivializing genuine disorders and encouraging inappropriate self-labeling—a trend already visible among Thai teens on social media, as reported by local education scholars.
Second, “misusing therapeutic language” spreads confusion. Videos often conflate different diagnoses or offer dramatic misinterpretations: labelling ordinary mood swings as “bipolar disorder,” or equating normal interpersonal conflict with “abuse.” Multiple experts note that this tendency can reinforce stigmas, encourage misunderstanding, and even damage relationships when people misapply clinical terminology without guidance from trained professionals.
The third and most prevalent error is the promotion of “unevidenced treatments and false claims.” The studies found numerous clips promising miracle cures—such as healing trauma within an hour through specific writing exercises, or treating depression by eating oranges or purchasing trendy supplements like magnesium glycinate or holy basil. Such advice, the studies point out, is not only unsupported by rigorous evidence, but may be directly harmful if it dissuades viewers from seeking proper medical or psychological support. In Thailand, where alternative remedies are already popular, the viral spread of such claims has worrying implications, potentially diverting patients from effective care (source).
The final major theme is reliance on “anecdotal evidence.” Many influential videos are based solely on personal stories, which, while relatable, can dangerously generalize individual experience as universal truth. For example, recommendations for inpatient psychiatric treatment are sometimes made based on a single user’s narrative—a practice experts warn could misinform viewers about the realities, benefits, and risks of hospitalization.
Experts across disciplines are sounding the alarm. A consultant neuropsychiatrist from a leading UK medical institution, who reviewed TikTok’s anxiety and depression content, stated that overuse of therapeutic language can “lead to confusion about what mental illness actually entails.” A British Psychological Society-accredited psychologist noted, “TikTok is spreading misinformation by suggesting that there are secret universal tips and truths that may actually make a viewer feel even worse, like a failure, when these tips don’t simply cure.” Another psychiatrist emphasized the danger of trivializing real mental illnesses through online self-diagnosis, warning that it can invalidate the lived experiences of those with serious conditions (source).
For Thailand, where digital platforms are quickly overtaking traditional print and TV media, the stakes are high. Local psychologists and medical educators have already observed Thai youth increasingly using TikTok as their mental health knowledge base—a trend intensified by the platform’s rapid short-video format, emotionally charged narratives, and community comment sections. This creates an environment ripe for the viral spread of both helpful support and misleading or even dangerous advice.
A groundbreaking systematic review published in early 2025 provides a broader, global perspective on the issue (PMC article). Drawing on over 26 empirical studies and 11,000 participants in countries as diverse as the US, China, Poland, Indonesia, and the Philippines, the review found that problematic TikTok use is prevalent among 8-25% of surveyed youth populations, with much higher rates of engagement among women and people from lower-income backgrounds. Disturbingly, even short exposure to the platform (as brief as 20 minutes) was found to increase depression and anxiety scores by 12% and 15%, respectively. This effect is especially pronounced among individuals with existing psychological vulnerabilities, such as loneliness or low self-esteem.
The review also found that TikTok’s “For You Page” algorithm, which delivers personalized streams of engaging short-form content, reinforces compulsive use—a feature structurally similar to addictive behaviors. Users report “time distortion” and difficulty disengaging—a phenomenon familiar to any parent who has watched a Thai teenager get lost in endless viral content. The research links this compulsive use to negative impacts including worsened academic performance, sleep disruption, and increased rates of depression, anxiety, and even body image concerns.
In Thailand, these findings ring particularly true, with Ministry of Education officials and public health advocates warning that excessive social media use is undermining both mental wellness and school achievement. While digital access during the pandemic provided vital connectivity and distraction, its aftereffects include rising mental health service demand and new challenges for families, teachers, and health authorities (source).
Is there any upside? Some local and international studies argue that TikTok’s vast, diverse communities do offer genuine support—especially for users facing stigma, isolation, or barriers to in-person care. Personal testimonies, shared coping strategies, and peer validation can provide comfort, help de-stigmatize mental illness, and sometimes prompt users to seek further help. As one qualitative study found, marginalized Thai youths “felt less alone” watching others share similar struggles. But the same studies caution that positive effects depend on users’ ability to distinguish credible information—and on having alternative sources of mental health support.
TikTok itself, in a public response to the Guardian investigation, defended its record by noting that it removes nearly 98% of harmful misinformation prior to user reports and partners with the World Health Organization and the UK’s NHS to provide accurate information. The platform claims to direct users who search for terms like “depression” or “anxiety” to reliable government resources. However, critics counter that the scale and pace of content production far outstrips these interventions, and that algorithm-driven recommender systems may amplify, rather than reduce, exposure to clickbait and misleading content. This argument aligns with global discussions about the responsibilities of social media companies under emerging regulatory frameworks like the UK’s Online Safety Act (source).
The implications for Thailand are wide-ranging. First, there is an urgent need for improved digital health literacy, incorporated into both school curricula and public health communication. Just as past generations of Thais learned to guard against food or environmental hazards, today’s youth must be taught to critically assess online health content—to check sources, consult professionals, and resist the lure of easy answers. Government investment in digital literacy programs would put Thailand in line with countries like China and New York State, which have launched screen-time limits and educational campaigns to manage problematic social media use (source).
Second, the research underlines the essential role of parents, teachers, and community leaders in monitoring and guiding young people’s social media engagement. Open, non-judgmental family conversations about mental health and digital life—breaking the culture of “face” and silence—are critical. Health professionals in Bangkok and the provinces alike emphasize that social support remains the strongest protective factor against mental health deterioration.
Third, policymakers and Thai technology companies must step up. Pressure is mounting on platforms to take proactive, transparent steps against content-driven harm. Greater cooperation between local digital agencies, international social media firms, and the Thai Ministry of Public Health could yield tailored educational content in the Thai language, more visible reporting tools for harmful posts, and better signposting to trusted local mental health services, such as the Department of Mental Health’s 1323 hotline or provincial hospital counseling units (source).
Connecting the dots historically and culturally, Thailand’s battle with mental health stigma and digital misinformation is not new—and not unique. Urbanization, academic stress, and high digital penetration have made Thai youth both resilient and vulnerable. Similar concerns surfaced with earlier internet waves—even before TikTok, authorities struggled with the viral spread of gaming addiction rumors, cyberbullying, and misrepresented health claims on platforms like Facebook and Line. What is new is the speed, emotional power, and algorithmic amplification of platforms like TikTok, as well as the heightened pressure for social comparison among Thai teens in a competitive education and employment environment (source).
Looking ahead, the long-term effects of TikTok-fueled misinformation remain uncertain. Researchers stress the need for more longitudinal studies, particularly in Asian contexts, to disentangle cause and effect: Does TikTok worsen mental distress, or do the vulnerable simply flock to its communities? Emerging evidence suggests a two-way street—users with more struggles are drawn to the platform, but excessive exposure to viral but misleading or harmful advice can exacerbate their problems, creating a “vicious cycle” that calls for careful, culturally informed intervention (source).
For Thai readers, the message is clear and pressing. Digital literacy and critical thinking must become part of every Thai’s survival toolkit, at home and in school. Before acting on mental health advice from strangers—or influencers—on TikTok, consult with licensed Thai mental health professionals or national helplines. Use TikTok’s built-in settings to limit exposure, take regular “digital detox” breaks, and talk openly with friends or family about what you see online. Parents and teachers can help by modeling positive engagement, encouraging offline activities, and staying informed about digital trends among youth.
Above all, policymakers, civil society, and tech firms need to work together: strengthening digital literacy programs, increasing professional mental health capacity across the country, and establishing clear, transparent standards for mental health information on social platforms. Such action is crucial to ensure that Thailand’s digital future is not only connected, but also healthy, informed, and safe for all.
Sources:
- Engadget: TikTok ripe with mental health misinformation, new study reports
- The Guardian: More than half of top 100 mental health TikToks contain misinformation, study finds
- The Guardian: What is the most common mental health misinformation on TikTok?
- NIH/PMC: Exploring Problematic TikTok Use and Mental Health Issues: A Systematic Review
- Bangkok Post: Mental health problems among children in Thailand double in decade
- Bangkok Post: Children zoned out in the online classroom
- DMH Thailand, English Contact Information