On the Psychology of TikTok Use: A First Glimpse From Empirical Findings

The content quality and educational significance of early childhood caries on short video platforms

BACKGROUND

Early clinical screening and prevention can reduce the incidence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC). With the development of social media, TikTok and Douyin were used as important tools for ECC popularization and early screening. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the educational impact from the integrity, accuracy and quality of ECC-related short videos on TikTok and Douyin.

METHODS

We searched for short videos related to ECC on the mobile application TikTok and Douyin on April 15, 2024. The search keywords were as follows: "Early childhood caries" on TikTok in both English and Japanese, and Chinese search on Douyin. The first 100 short videos were selected as samples for each group. we applied an instrument called DISCERN, which consisted of 3 sections and a total of 16 questions to evaluate the quality of each short video, and used a checklist to rate the content of videos. The accuracy of the content was evaluated based on the Children's Caries Risk Assessment and Management Guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 115 short videos were assessed for the useful information quality of ECC, including 78 Chinese, 26 English, and 11 Japanese. The score for the content quality of short videos showed that each of the three groups assigned the highest scores to the sections on symptoms and treatment, with Chinese short videos achieving the top ratings. The DISCERN scores for useful short videos in each group were 33.10 ± 3.49 in Chinese, 29.54 ± 2.37 in English, and 28.27 ± 2.61 in Japanese, respectively. Compared with English and Japanese videos, Chinese videos had the highest DISCERN score with significant differences (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, in Chinese short videos, healthcare professionals or organizations uploaded videos with higher DISCERN scores, which were more comprehensive and extensive than those uploaded by private users.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary for more healthcare professionals and institutions to join in to improve the quality of content on short video platforms and solve more health problems for patients through short videos.

The use of social media in social care: a systematic review of the argument-based ethics literature

Digital technologies, especially social media, have become everyday tools. In care settings, the use of social media is considered a possible guarantee to maintain quality practices. This trend is specifically relevant for social care, including social work, psychology, psychiatry, rehabilitation etc., due to their communicative nature. Nevertheless, this use is joined by ethical vulnerabilities. To get insight into these, a systematic review of relevant normative-ethical literature was carried out following a 4-step methodology: developing ethical-conceptual questions; a literature search in four electronic databases (CINAHL, Philosopher's Index, Web of Science, ProQuest Database Psychology); assessment and inclusion of articles based on predefined criteria; extracting, analysing, and synthesizing reported data. Thirty-three articles were included, showing that current ethical debates are governed by nine themes: Benefits of social media; Relations, limits, and boundaries; Searches; Privacy, confidentiality, and trust; Documentation and records; Competency and client suitability; Consultation and referral; Informed consent; and Identity and image. We found that most ethical literature on social media use in social care settings adheres to the principles of biomedical ethics (respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice) and to an ethics of carefulness, i.e. an ethics which takes social media for granted and considers its impact only on the particular therapeutic relationship. It loses sight of those ethical issues which occur on organizational, societal, and global levels. A full account of the ethics of social media use can only be given by considering these different levels and by informing the ethics of carefulness by an ethics of desirability.

#Acne: A Thematic Qualitative Analysis of Acne Content on TikTok

AIM

TikTok has accrued over 3 million posts and 129 billion views under #acne, establishing itself as a popular platform amongst adolescents to access health information. We conducted an in-depth thematic analysis of acne videos on TikTok to determine how adolescents engage with acne content.

METHODS

The top 150 consecutive videos under #acne on TikTok were subjected to rigorous qualitative analysis by experienced researchers (Laxmi Iyengar, Susan Saldanha) until data saturation was reached, guided by SRQR (Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research) guidelines. Five themes were identified:(1) Pimple popping, (2) Acne education, (3) 'Acne transformation' depicting treatment success stories, (4) Acne positivity, normalising acne and (5) Acne reality, capturing the lived experience of acne.

RESULTS

Overall, the top 150 videos under #acne accumulated almost 2 billion views and 102 million followers. The majority of acne content was uploaded by females (125/150; 84%). Medically trained clinicians represented only 11% of the content (17/150). Pimple-popping videos attracted the most significant viewership (804 million views; 44%; 17% of content) despite having a lower proportion of content than acne education videos, uploaded by patients and clinicians (324 million views; 34% of content). These videos included dietary hacks, miracle cures and narratives that antagonised the medical treatments. Acne reality videos demonstrating the mental health burden of acne were the least popular amongst TikTok viewers (79 million views; 4% of content).

CONCLUSION

Thematic qualitative research of acne on TikTok bridges the gap between clinical expertise and the lived experiences of those navigating acne in the digital age. Based on the results of the study, strategies are proposed for dermatologists to engage in the TikTok platform on the topic of acne, including medicolegal precautions. Given the lack of content credibility on social media, this research urges dermatologists to redefine healthy skin care practices based on evidence-based principles.

Technology Affordances, Social Media Engagement, and Social Media Addiction: An Investigation of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts

Currently, time spent online viewing short-form video (SFV) has become an increasingly popular activity. SFV users spend over two hours daily across a variety of SFV platforms. Undergirded by the theory of technological affordances, the present study is the first to investigate the relative strength of three tech affordances-recommendation accuracy, serendipity, and perceived effortlessness offered by three popular SFV platforms: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. A survey of 555 college students was conducted. Each respondent was asked to rate each of the three SFV platforms on an 18-item scale that measured the three tech affordances of interest. Respondents then completed scales that measured social media engagement and social media addiction. As posited, SFV users rated the TikTok platform as offering more tech affordances than Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Study results also found tech affordances derived from TikTok and Instagram Reels indirectly impact addictive social media use through the mediating variable of social media engagement. Study results show affordances offered by SFVs, as designed, are associated with heightened social media engagement, and ultimately, addiction. Future research should investigate these tech affordances and others and their relationship with heightened social media use, as well as how SFV is used (passively or actively) impacts engagement and its potential outcomes.

A study of text classification algorithms for live-streaming e-commerce comments based on improved BERT model

As e-commerce live streaming becomes increasingly popular, the textual analysis of bullet comments is becoming more and more important. Bullet comments is characterized by its brevity, diverse content, and vast quantity. Faced with these challenges, this study proposes an improved BERT model based on a hierarchical structure for classifying e-commerce bullet comments. First, a parent class BERT model is trained to categorize bullet comments into six designated categories (parent categories). Subsequently, subclass BERT models are trained to classify bullet comments into subcategories. The model combines BERT's profound semantic comprehension with the closely categorized capabilities of the hierarchical structure. Empirical evidence shows that the proposed model significantly improves classification accuracy and efficiency, aiding in further analysis of bullet comments, extracting valuable information, and achieving effective marketing.

Disinformation about diet and nutrition on social networks: a review of the literature

Introduction

Background: social networks have become indispensable for global communication, offering unparalleled access to information. However, the lack of content regulation has allowed health and nutrition misinformation to thrive, posing significant public health risks. Objectives: this study aimed to identify the social networks most frequently used for spreading nutrition-related misinformation and evaluate the primary topics, including diseases and dietary claims, featured in these messages. Methods: a systematic review of the literature was conducted, analyzing studies focused on nutrition-related misinformation across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Data collection adhered to PRISMA guidelines, and findings were synthesized narratively to address the study objectives. Results: this study analyzed 28 documents focusing on nutrition-related misinformation on social networks. Instagram (50 %) and YouTube (39.28 %) were identified as the most prevalent platforms for spreading such content, followed by TikTok (5.13 %) and Twitter (10.72 %). Over 62 % of the reviewed studies addressed misinformation linked to miracle diets, often associated with orthorexia (14.28 %) and COVID-19 (14.28 %). These diets frequently included unverified claims of rapid health improvements. Notably, credible nutrition content was predominantly shared by healthcare professionals and academic organizations, highlighting their key role in fight against misinformation. Conclusions: misinformation about nutrition on social networks is a growing public health concern. Public health institutions must implement strategies to improve digital literacy and provide tools for assessing information credibility. Healthcare professionals should leverage social media to disseminate evidence-based knowledge, counteracting the influence of unreliable sources. Collaborative efforts are essential to ensure social networks serve as platforms for reliable health promotion and education.

The Digital Media-use Effects (d-MUsE) Model: A comprehensive framework for exploring/studying functional and dysfunctional effects on adolescent wellbeing

Background and Aims

Digital media have become a fundamental aspect of daily life for children and adolescents, influencing cognitive, emotional, and social development. The present work explores the dual nature of digital media use, identifying both positive and negative impacts on well-being and development.

Methods

A comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted to explore the interplay between digital media use and its effects on child and adolescent well-being. The study employs the Digital Media-use Effects (d-MUsE) model to analyze psychological mechanisms and contextual factors mediating these effects.

Results

Functional media use promotes positive mental, physical, and social outcomes, while dysfunctional use is linked to negative psychological consequences, such as increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The proposed d-MUsE model highlights the interplay of psychological mechanisms and contextual factors-both proximal and distal-that mediate the effects of digital media on short- and long-term well-being.

Discussion

The present work endeavours to refine our existing comprehension of the intricate interplay of elements and mechanisms underpinning functional and dysfunctional employment of digital media. Prospective research trajectories, which spotlight factors that hitherto remained at the periphery of investigative scrutiny, find discourse in this synthesis.

Understanding problematic TikTok use: A systematic review of emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications in clinical psychology

TikTok's rapid rise has spurred concerns about its potential to cause problematic use behaviors, which some consider akin to addiction. This systematic review seeks to understand the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TikTok use within the scope of clinical psychology. From September 15, 2023 to March 30, 2024 a systematic review was conducted to investigate whether this new pathological condition can be recognized as a behavioral addiction. We searched the following databases for relevant studies: PubMed, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), PsycINFO, MDPI, Frontiers in Psychology, ScienceDirect, and ReserchGate. We identified a total of 294 unique articles. 45 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and only 21 of these met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final systematic review. We identified factors like salience, craving, and abstinence related to problematic TikTok use, confirming its potential risk as a behavioral addiction. Currently, there are neither established guidelines, nor an acceptable number of clinical cases, to determine the inclusion of TikTok addiction within an official classification. Additional considerations include the assessed target population, geographical differences, and the lack of specific treatments or interventions. Our study confirms that problematic TikTok use must be considered an addiction both for the considerable risk it entails and for its developmental trajectory. Through the analysis of the included studies, we confirmed elevated levels of salience, abstinence, tolerance, craving, excessive use, desire to control consumption, and alterations in daily life habits associated with problematic TikTok use.

Association Between TikTok Use and Anxiety, Depression, and Sleepiness Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece

INTRODUCTION

TikTok use is increasing, especially among children and adolescents. However, the negative effects of TikTok use have not been sufficiently investigated.

AIM

To examine the association between TikTok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness in adolescents.

METHODS

We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study in Greece. We employed a convenience sample of 219 adolescents in Greece. All participants had a TikTok account. We used the TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS) to measure TikTok use and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) to measure anxiety and depression. We constructed multivariable regression models, and we performed a stratified analysis according to gender.

RESULTS

The mean age was 18.5 years (standard deviation: 0.5, range: 18 to 19). In our sample, 81.3% were girls and 18.7% were boys. Mean daily TikTok usage and TTAS scores were statistically higher for girls than for boys. Our multivariable linear regression analysis was adjusted for age and showed that problematic TikTok use was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in both genders. In particular, we found a positive association between mood modification and anxiety score (beta = 0.404, p-value = 0.006). Moreover, we found a positive association between conflict and depression score (beta = 0.472, p-value < 0.001). Additionally, we found that the impact of TikTok on anxiety and depression was greater among boys than girls. We also found that problematic TikTok use was associated with increased sleepiness in both genders (mood modification: beta = 0.655, p-value < 0.001; conflict: beta = 0.674, p-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed a positive association between TikTok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness. Early identification of problematic TikTok users is essential to promote their mental health and well-being. Healthcare professionals should be alert to recognize symptoms of problematic TikTok use.

Ephemeral Emotional Resonance: User-Perceived Functional Value Leading to Short-Form Video Use

With the rapid development of short-form videos, more and more people have gained a deep understanding of the functional value of short-form videos. Based on structuration theory, this paper explores the reasons why users use short-form videos. The authors conducted a questionnaire survey on 2613 Chinese short video users, and found that bridging social capital played a mediating role between users' perceived functional value of short-form videos and their use of short-form videos. In addition, internet self-efficacy played a moderating role. This finding not only enhances our understanding of the value of short-form videos and users' relational needs, but also highlights the crucial role of self-efficacy in users' engagement with this new medium.

Assessing Short-Video Dependence for e-Mental Health: Development and Validation Study of the Short-Video Dependence Scale

BACKGROUND

Short-video dependence (SVD) has become a significant mental health issue around the world. The lack of scientific tools to assess SVD hampers further advancement in this area.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop and validate a scientific tool to measure SVD levels, ensuring a scientifically determined cutoff point.

METHODS

We initially interviewed 115 highly engaged short-video users aged 15 to 63 years. Based on the summary of the interview and references to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for behavioral addictions, we proposed the first version of the short-video dependence scale (SVDS). We then screened the items through item analysis (second version) and extracted common factors using exploratory factor analysis (third version) and confirmatory factor analysis (final version). Convergent validity was tested with other scales (Chinese Internet Addiction Scale [CIAS] and DSM-5). Finally, we tested the validity of the final version in 16,038 subjects and set the diagnostic cutoff point through latent profile analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The final version of the SVDS contained 20 items and 4 dimensions, which showed strong structural validity (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value=0.94) and internal consistency (Cronbach α=.93), and good convergent validity (rCIAS=0.61 and rDSM-5=0.68), sensitivity (0.77, 0.83, 0.87, and 0.62 for each of the 4 dimensions), and specificity (0.75, 0.87, 0.80, and 0.79 for each of the 4 dimensions). Additionally, an SVDS score of 58 was determined as the best cutoff score, and latent profile analysis identified a 5-class model for SVD.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a tool to measure SVD levels and established a threshold to differentiate dependent users from highly engaged nondependent users. The findings provide opportunities for further research on the impacts of short-video use.

Reels to Remembrance: Attention Partially Mediates the Relationship Between Short-Form Video Addiction and Memory Function Among Youth

Background and Purpose: The proliferation of short-form video content on social media platforms has led to increased user engagement but also raised concerns about potential addictive behaviors and cognitive consequences, particularly among youth. This study explored the prevalence of short-form video addiction (SVA) among Jordanian youth, its correlates, and its impact on attention and memory function, with an emphasis on understanding the mediating and moderating role of attention in the relationship between SVA and memory. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 1029 university students across 25 higher-education institutions in Jordan. Results: Half of the participants exhibited moderate to high levels of SVA. The findings indicated a significant increase in SVA scores among female students (p = 0.003), those of a younger age (p = 0.045), those with lower GPAs (p = 0.013), and those who dedicated fewer hours to study (p = 0.006). Notably, there was a significant and large correlation between SVA scores and students' perceptions of user-generated content (p < 0.001). Attention partially mediated the relationship between SVA and memory function with excellent model fit indices (χ2(12) = 14.11, p = 0.05, RMSEA = 0.03, GFI = 0.99, IFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, CFI = 0.99). However, attention did not moderate this relationship, suggesting that the impact of SVA on memory is consistent across varying levels of attention. Discussion: The findings underscore the significant engagement of Jordanian youth with short-form video content and the potential cognitive risks associated with SVA. Interventions to manage attention could mitigate the adverse effects of SVA on cognitive functions. This study calls for a comprehensive approach to address SVA among youth, including the development of digital literacy programs, mental health support services, and policy interventions that promote a balanced digital ecosystem and responsible media consumption.

Descriptive analysis of TikTok content on vaccination in Arabic

The extensive impact of social media on communication of public health information is a growing concern. This is particularly worrying in the context of vaccination. Thus, we investigated the quality of TikTok videos regarding vaccination in Arabic, with examination of the association of video source and content type with the information quality and video engagement metrics. The final sample comprised a total of 129 TikTok videos in Arabic posted between January 2021 and July 2024. Videos were categorized based on the source [healthcare professional (HCPs), lay individuals, media], and content type (COVID-19 vaccination, childhood vaccination, general vaccination, others). We utilized a miniaturized version of the DISCERN instrument (mini-DISCERN) scale to evaluate information quality by two independent raters and assessed video engagement metrics (Likes, Comments, Shares, and Saves). The results indicated a statistically significant discrepancy in information quality, with videos from HCPs and media outlets scoring higher on the mini-DISCERN scale compared to those from lay individuals [mean: (4.818 ± 0.726) vs. (4.053 ± 1.441) vs. (2.003 ± 1.640), P < 0.001]. The highest information quality was found for videos on childhood vaccination, whereas content on COVID-19 vaccination was rated significantly lower on mini-DISCERN [mean: (4.510 ± 1.269) vs. (2.542 ± 1.827), P < 0.001]. Videos with higher engagement metrics, particularly those from lay individuals, were negatively correlated with information quality. Linear regression analysis confirmed the significant influence of the creator background (β = -0.618, P < 0.001) and video topic (β = 0.179, P = 0.009) on information quality. This study highlights the critical role of content creator background and topic on the quality of vaccination-related information on TikTok in Arabic. We emphasize the need for stringent verification of TikTok content, especially from lay individuals, as videos with higher engagement metrics often contained lower-quality information regarding vaccination. We recommend enhanced support for content from HCPs and targeted digital literacy programs to combat vaccine misinformation on TikTok effectively.

TikTok as a Source of Education and Misinformation in Lichen Sclerosus

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the content, delivery, and quality of medical information for vulvar lichen sclerosus on the social media platform TikTok.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Using the third-party data scraping tool Apify, TikTok videos tagged with #lichensclerosus or "lichen sclerosus" were identified and sorted by view count. A sample of 100 videos was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers, excluding those not discussing lichen sclerosus. Videos were assessed using a coding document, the Patient Educational Materials Assessment Tool, and the DISCERN instrument. Interrater reliability was measured, and statistical analyses included Fleiss' kappa, intraclass correlation coefficient, t tests, and Wilcoxon rank sum test with Holm-Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

Content creators included patients (46%), health care professionals (30%), and others. Topics focused on clinical disease (52%) and treatment (48%). Evidence-based medicine was discussed in 71.7% of treatment-related videos, while 51.7% included nonevidence-based approaches, with a neutral or positive sentiment. Videos discussing topical steroids often had negative sentiments. Quality assessment revealed 61% of videos were understandable, 27% actionable, and 46% contained misinformation. Videos by health care professionals had less misinformation and higher quality scores compared to patient-generated content. Commercially biased videos were more understandable but contained more misinformation.

CONCLUSIONS

TikTok serves as a significant platform for sharing information on lichen sclerosus, but nearly half of the content contains misinformation. Health care professionals need to engage in social media to provide accurate information and counteract misinformation. Enhanced collaboration with patient advocates and careful resource sharing can improve the quality and reliability of medical information available online.

Exploring Problematic TikTok Use and Mental Health Issues: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies

BACKGROUND

Since its launch in 2017, TikTok has rapidly emerged as a major player in the digital landscape, amassing over a billion active users. Its engaging features have raised concerns about potential problematic use and negative mental health outcomes. Despite increasing scholarly attention, a consolidated understanding of TikTok's problematic use potential and implications remains elusive This systematic review synthesizes empirical research on problematic TikTok use and its impact on mental health.

METHODS

This review followed PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines and conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases until July 10, 2024. Keywords included terms related to TikTok use, addiction, and problematic use. Studies were included based on empirical focus and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Data extraction comprised study characteristics, measures of TikTok problematic use, and related mental health outcomes. Quality assessment used JBI, Cochrane's RoB 2, MMAT, CASP, and NOS tools. The protocol was registered in OSF: https://osf.io/cjf97.

RESULTS

This review included 26 studies, involving a total of 11 462 participants. The pooled prevalence of TikTok use was estimated at 80.19%, with the highest rates observed among people aged 18 to 29 years, where it reached 85.4%. Frequent use of TikTok was closely linked with an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially in users aged under 24 years. Female users were more likely to experience problematic TikTok use, with 67.3% of such cases found among female university students. Moreover, higher addiction scores were noted among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those who had higher levels of neuroticism.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this review highlight the growing concern surrounding the impact of problematic TikTok use on mental health, particularly among younger and more vulnerable populations. It is imperative for stakeholders to prioritize the integration of digital literacy and media literacy into educational curricula. Moreover, the involvement of caregivers through guided mediation and the establishment of clear usage parameters could play a crucial role in managing screen time, particularly for younger users. To improve the current landscape of empirical research, longitudinal and interventional research is warranted.

Video Quality Assessment and Analysis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease on TikTok and Bilibili: Cross-Sectional Study

Aims and Objectives

To assess the content quality and reliability of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) videos on TikTok and Bilibili.

Background

Since many people with GERD use current online platforms to search for health information, there is a need to assess the quality of GERD videos on social media. There are many GERD videos on TikTok and Bilibili; however, the quality of information in these videos remains unknown.

Design

A cross-sectional survey on two video platforms.

Methods

In November 2023, we retrieved 200 videos from TikTok and Bilibili with the search term "GERD." Basic video information was extracted, the content coded, and the video source identified. Two independent raters assessed the quality of each video using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) criteria, and the Global Quality Score (GQS) tool.

Results

A total of 156 videos were collected. Most of the videos on TikTok and Bilibili came from gastroenterologists. TikTok's GERD video quality and reliability were higher than Bilibili's. The mDISCERN and GQS scores of both platforms were positively correlated with duration, and the GQS score was positively correlated with collection and shares. Bilibili's JAMA score was negatively correlated with time-sync comments, and TikTok's JAMA score was negatively correlated with days since upload.

Conclusion

This study indicated that the content quality scores of TikTok and Bilibili as sources of scientific information on GERD are average, and patients should carefully identify and select to watch GERD-related videos on TikTok and Bilibili.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

By evaluating the quality of videos on GERD on the two platforms, this can provide new ideas for health education interventions in the clinic and a relevant basis for improving the quality level of the videos.

The TikTok Addiction Scale: Development and validation

Background

There is an absence of valid and specific psychometric tools to assess TikTok addiction. Considering that the use of TikTok is increasing rapidly and the fact that TikTok addiction may be a different form of social media addiction, there is an urge for a valid tool to measure TikTok addiction.

Objective

To develop and validate a tool to measure TikTok addiction.

Methods

First, we performed an extensive literature review to create a pool of items to measure TikTok addiction. Then, we employed a panel of experts from different backgrounds to examine the content validity of the initial set of items. We examined face validity by performing cognitive interviews with TikTok users and calculating the item-level face validity index. Our study population included 429 adults who have been TikTok users for at least the last 12 months. We employed exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to examine the construct validity of the TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS). We examined the concurrent validity by using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10). We used Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's Omega, Cohen's kappa, and intraclass correlation coefficient to examine reliability.

Results

We found that the TTAS is a six-factor 15-item scale with robust psychometric properties. Factor analysis revealed a six-factor structure, (1) salience, (2) mood modification, (3) tolerance, (4) withdrawal symptoms, (5) conflict, and (6) relapse, which accounted for 80.70% of the total variance. The concurrent validity of the TTAS was excellent since we found significant correlations between TTAS and BSMAS, PHQ-4, and BFI-10. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega for the TTAS were 0.911 and 0.914, respectively.

Conclusion

The TTAS appears to be a short, easy-to-use, and valid scale to measure TikTok addiction. Considering the limitations of our study, we recommend the translation and validation of the TTAS in other languages and populations to further examine the validity of the scale.

The Assessment of TikTok as a Source of Quality Health Information on Human Papillomavirus: A Content Analysis

Background Various studies have evaluated the quality of health-related information on TikTok (ByteDance Ltd., Beijing, China), including topics such as COVID-19, diabetes, varicoceles, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and others. However, there is a paucity of data on studies that examined TikTok as a source of quality health information on human papillomavirus (HPV). This study, therefore, evaluated the quality of health information on HPV on TikTok. Methods The terms "HPV" and "human papillomavirus" were searched on TikTok on a single day in August 2024, and 200 videos were retrieved. Relevant user metrics were collected for each video, including the number of likes, shares, and followers, the video length, and the uploader type. Two independent raters assessed each video regarding the completeness of six types of content (the definition of HPV, symptoms, risk factors, evaluation, management, and outcomes). Then, the two raters independently assessed the quality of information in the videos using the DISCERN instrument. Results Sixty-nine videos met inclusion criteria; 11 were created by general users, 44 by healthcare professionals, and 14 by organizations. Videos uploaded by general users and health professionals have a longer duration (p < 0.001) and more likes (p = 0.048) than those uploaded by organizations. More than 60% of the videos contained little or no content on the HPV content assessed. Although the reliability and quality of treatment choices were higher among videos uploaded by healthcare professionals, the overall quality of HPV health information using the DISCERN instrument was "very poor" (24.2 (±6.92)). Conclusions The overall quality of HPV videos uploaded on TikTok is very poor and not acceptable, thus failing to satisfy public health needs. Healthcare professionals must enhance their social media presence, produce reliable and substantive material, and collaborate with social media platforms and high-engagement accounts to facilitate users' access to high-quality data. TikTok users must recognize that material regarding HPV may lack medical accuracy and should consistently consult healthcare providers for medical guidance.

The Relationships Between Short Video Usage and Subjective Well-Being: Mediation Models and Network Analysis

On short video platforms, individuals can not only passively browse videos but also actively engage in behaviors such as liking and commenting on videos. However, the mechanisms by how active and passive usage of short videos affect subjective well-being remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to explore these mechanisms through path analysis and network analysis. We employed the Short Video Usage Questionnaire, Subjective Well-Being Scale, and Interaction Anxiety Scale to survey 1086 participants. The results indicated (1) the active usage positively predicted life satisfaction and positive affect, while passive usage failed to predict any of them. (2) Social anxiety mediated the relationship between short video usage and subjective well-being. Active usage enhanced life satisfaction and positive affect by alleviating social anxiety, while reducing negative affect by decreasing social anxiety. At the same time, passive usage reduced life satisfaction and positive affect by exacerbating social anxiety while increasing negative affect by intensifying social anxiety. (3) Network analysis revealed that "live interaction" behavior was a core activity for alleviating social anxiety and enhancing subjective well-being. The findings highlight the significant role of short video usage in subjective well-being and provide empirical evidence to guide users in the rational and positive usage of short video platforms.

Young athletes' mental well-being is associated with smartphone social networking application usage and moderated by performance level and app type

Smartphones and social media have become an integral part of human daily life and they influence mental well-being. These accounts have been researched in the general population, but not in athletes. This is critical given enhanced physical and emotional stressors in athletes versus non-athletes. Therefore, we here studied intra- and interindividual relationships of four social media sites (WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat) with mood, stress, recovery, and sleep using log-based media usage tracking as an objective measure in 53 competitive athletes aged 12-27 years. Multilevel modeling revealed that intraindividual TikTok usage negatively predicted sleep (β = -0.10, p = 0.040) and recovery (β = -0.15, p < 0.002), and positively predicted stress (β = 0.12, p = 0.018). Interindividual Instagram usage predicted feelings of calmness (β = 0.27, p = 0.029) and valence (β = 0.20, p = 0.043). Intriguingly, competition level moderated the usage outcomes of all four apps: Athletes on low performance levels showed lower mental well-being when using social media longer, yet in national and international athletes the strength of these relationships was weaker or even reversed. Our study unravels social media usage associations with mental well-being to vary as a function of performance level and provides findings on intra- and interindividual effects of critical importance to inform future population-tailored and expedient interventions.

Evaluation of the information quality related to osteoporosis on TikTok

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is currently considered the most common bone disease in the world and is characterized by low bone mass, deterioration of the bone tissue microstructure, and decreased bone strength. With the increasing popularity of smartphones and short videos, many patients search for various types of health information through social media, such as short videos. As one of China's short video giants, TikTok has played a significant role in spreading health information. We found that there are many videos about osteoporosis on TikTok; however, the quality of these short videos has not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the information quality of osteoporosis videos on the domestic TikTok platform.

METHODS

We retrieved and screened 100 videos about osteoporosis from TikTok, extracted the basic information, encoded the video content, and recorded the source of each video. Two independent raters evaluated the information quality of each video via the DISCERN rating scale.

RESULT

The videos were divided into three groups according to their source: medical personnel, science communicators, and news media, with medical personnel posting the most videos. The content of the video is divided into 7 groups, namely, disease prevention, disease diagnosis, disease symptoms, disease overview, life-style, drug knowledge, and drug treatment, with the most videos related to disease overview. The average DISCERN score of the videos is 37.69 (SD = 6.78), mainly within the 'poor' (54/100, 54%) and 'appropriate' (43/100, 43%) rating ranges, with overall quality being low. Further analysis revealed a positive correlation between the number of shares, comments, likes, and favorites, and a positive correlation between the DISCERN score and the number of shares and favorites.

CONCLUSION

The overall quality of videos concerning osteoporosis on TikTok is lower, but the quality of videos varies significantly across different sources. We should be selective and cautious when watching videos about osteoporosis on TikTok.

An Evaluation of the Design of Multimedia Patient Education Materials in Musculoskeletal Health Care: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Educational multimedia is a cost-effective and straightforward way to administer large-scale information interventions to patient populations in musculoskeletal health care. While an abundance of health research informs the content of these interventions, less guidance exists about optimizing their design.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify randomized controlled trials of patient populations with musculoskeletal conditions that used multimedia-based patient educational materials (PEMs) and examine how design was reported and impacted patients' knowledge and rehabilitation outcomes. Design was evaluated using principles from the cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML).

METHODS

PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched from inception to September 2023 for studies examining adult patients with musculoskeletal conditions receiving multimedia PEMs compared to any other interventions. The primary outcome was knowledge retention measured via test scores. Secondary outcomes were any patient-reported measures. Retrievability was noted, and PEMs were sourced through search, purchase, and author communication.

RESULTS

A total of 160 randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion: 13 (8.1%) included their educational materials and 31 (19.4%) required a web search, purchase, or direct requests for educational materials. Of these 44 (27.5%) studies, none fully optimized the design of their educational materials, particularly lacking in the CTML principles of coherence, redundancy, modality, and generative activities for the learner. Of the 160 studies, the remaining 116 (72.5%) contained interventions that could not be retrieved or appraised. Learning was evaluated in 5 (3.1%) studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Musculoskeletal studies should use open science principles and provide their PEMs wherever possible. The link between providing multimedia PEMs and patient learning is largely unexamined, but engagement potential may be maximized when considering design principles such as the CTML.

The Sugar-Coated Truth: The Quality of Diabetes Health Information on TikTok

This study aimed to assess diabetes health information found on TikTok and quantify misinformation on TikTok. The authors assessed 171 videos through two health literacy tools, DISCERN and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials, to rate the understandability and actionability of online medical content. The findings from this study encourage health care professionals to use social media platforms to provide factual information about diabetes and advise online health care consumers to use reputable sources such as trusted diabetes organizations' social media accounts, which tend to validate content with clinicians.

The experience of treatment for eating disorders as told by content creators on TikTok

TikTok, a social media platform with substantial youth engagement, has been used to examine eating disorder (ED) recovery; however, no studies have described the experience of ED treatment as told on TikTok. The purpose of this study was to describe content related to ED treatment using the hashtag #EDtreatment. The 100 most-viewed videos using #EDtreatment were downloaded, transcribed verbatim, and coded. Using qualitative thematic analysis, a coding framework was created; themes were generated and reviewed by coauthors until consensus was reached. Ultimately, 55 videos were included in the analysis. The videos included in the analysis had, in total, 15.6 million views, 3 million "likes", 36647 comments, and were shared by users 26,673 times. Themes generated included Aspects of Treatment, Interpersonal Relationships, Emotions and Psychiatric Comorbidities, and ED Experiences. Content ranged from uplifting and encouraging to negative and serious. Videos used dramatic reenactments, music, humor, and other entertainment methods, suggesting that creators attempted to generate high volume viewer consumption. When combined with TikTok's brief video format, users may consume large amounts of content rapidly. Individuals considering treatment may be influenced by viewing TikTok content. When clinically engaging individuals with EDs, the perceived significance of this content is a topic of consideration.

Social Networks as a Tool for Evidence-Based Health Education: Umbrella Review

BACKGROUND

The number of people who access social networking sites continues to increase at an exponential rate. The use of technology is an essential skill for nursing professionals and its development represents a challenge in improving health education, promotion and care. The objective of this systematic review is to analyse the use of social networking sites by healthcare professionals as an intervention tool for evidence-based public health education.

METHODS

The protocol of this umbrella review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023407249). Searches were carried out in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), and Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, in February 2023. A narrative synthesis of the results was conducted.

RESULTS

1896 articles were found, of which 15 reviews fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Social networks broadened the profession; they were YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. The target population was mainly young professionals, and they came across different topic areas that addressed health education.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to have information backed by scientific evidence to make health decisions. Health professionals active on social networking sites have a unique opportunity to educate the public about health by sharing scientific evidence in an accessible and clear way, which helps to combat misinformation.

A multidimensional framework for understanding problematic use of short video platforms: the role of individual, social-environmental, and platform factors

Short video platforms have rapidly become a prominent form of social media, but their problematic use is increasingly concerning. This review synthesizes existing research to propose a comprehensive framework that integrates individual, social-environmental, and platform-related factors contributing to this issue. Individual factors are categorized into distal (e.g., personality, psychopathology) and proximal (e.g., usage expectations, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses during use) categories, with distal factors often shaping proximal ones, which more directly influence usage behaviors. Social-environmental factors, such as family dynamics and peer interactions, along with platform-related features, also significantly impact the likelihood of problematic use. Beyond their direct effects, our framework emphasizes the importance of examining the combined effects of these factors, particularly through mediation and moderation processes. Mediation processes reveal how distal individual factors influence problematic use by shaping more immediate, proximal factors. Similarly, social-environmental influences and platform features may affect problematic use by modifying individual factors. Moderation processes further illustrate how individual characteristics or social-environmental factors may alter the strength of these relationships. Understanding these complex, multidimensional relationships is essential for developing effective interventions to mitigate the risks associated with problematic short video platforms use. Future research should explore these processes in greater depth.

Short-video applications use and self-concept clarity among adolescents: The mediating roles of flow and social media self-expansion

Recently, the usage of short-video applications (apps) has become widespread and the potential influence of short-video apps use on individuals has attracted the attention of researchers. However, few studies have explored the influence of short-video apps use on adolescents' self-concept clarity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between short-video apps use and self-concept clarity among adolescents and whether this relationship is mediated by flow and social media self-expansion. A total of 721 Chinese adolescents completed questionnaires on intensity of short-video apps use, flow, social media self-expansion, self-concept clarity, and SNS use intensity. The results revealed that short-video apps use was negatively related to self-concept clarity among adolescents. Flow mediated the association between short-video apps use and self-concept clarity. Moreover, the relationship between short-video apps use and self-concept clarity was sequentially mediated by flow and social media self-expansion. These findings offer new insights into our understanding of adolescents' self-development in the context of digital media and provide implications for fostering healthier online experiences among adolescents.

Video quality of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on TikTok: A cross-sectional study

The short-video application TikTok shows great potential for disseminating health information. We assessed the content, sources, and quality of information in videos related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on TikTok. Our study aims to identify upload sources, content, and characteristic information for NAFLD videos on TikTok and further evaluate factors related to video quality. We investigated the top 100 videos related to NAFLD on TikTok and analyzed the upload sources, content, and characteristics of these videos. Evaluate video quality using the DISCERN tool and Global Quality Score (GQS). In addition, the correlation between video quality and video characteristics is further studied. In terms of video sources, the majority of NAFLD videos on TikTok (85/100, 85%) were posted by doctors, ensuring the professionalism of the content, and among the video content, disease knowledge was the most dominant video content, accounting for 57% (57/100) of all videos, and the average DISCERN and GQS scores of all 100 videos were 39.59 (SD 3.31) and 2.99 (SD 0.95), respectively. DISCERN and GQS data show that videos related to NAFLD do not have high-quality scores on TikTok, mainly fair (68/100, 68%) and moderate (49/100, 49%). In general, the quality of NAFLD video information from professional content and professional sources was higher than that of nonprofessional sources and nonprofessional content, the video quality of general surgeons was better than that of other department physicians, and the video quality of junior physicians was better than that of senior physicians. In terms of video correlation, durations, the number of fans, and the total number of works were negatively correlated with DISCERN scores (R < 0, P < .05), while likes, comments, collections, shares, and days since upload were not significantly correlated with DISCERN and GQS scores (P > .05). The medical information on TikTok is not rigorous enough to guide patients to make accurate judgments, platforms should monitor and guide publishers to help promote and disseminate quality content.

Social media use and its impact on adults' mental health and well-being: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Social media use has grown in importance and prevalence, with its estimated number of users at 4.9 billion worldwide. Social media use research has revealed positive and negative impacts on users' mental health and well-being. However, such impacts among adults have not been examined in any reviews.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted based on the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and reported based on the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eight databases were searched from 2005 to December 2021. Articles were included after being reviewed by three independent teams, with discrepancies resolved through consensus with the senior author. Publication-related information (i.e., authors, year of publication, aims, study population, methodology, interventions, comparisons, outcome measures and key findings) were extracted from each study. Thematic analysis was conducted to answer the research questions.

RESULTS

Among the 114 eligible articles, young adults (69.6%) represented the main age group. Most studies (78.6%) focused on the negative impacts of social media use on mental health and well-being, with nearly a third (32.1%) assessing such impacts on depression. Notably, this scoping review found that more than three-quarters (78.6%) of the included studies revealed that excessive and passive social media use would increases depression, anxiety, mood and loneliness. Nevertheless, a third (33.0%) also reported positive impacts, where positive and purposeful use of social media contributes to improvements in mental health and well-being, such as increased perceived social support and enjoyment.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

This review has provided an overview of the existing knowledge on how social media use affects adults and identified areas of research that merit investigation in future studies. More attention should be given to maximizing the positive impacts of social media use on mental health and well-being among adults.

Exploring Menstrual Education via TikTok: A Descriptive Content Analysis

PURPOSE

TikTok has rapidly emerged as one of the foremost social media platforms for young adults and adolescents, becoming the most-downloaded app in 2022. With its broad reach across demographics, TikTok may be leveraged as a tool for teaching and destigmatizing topics such as menstruation. This study is the first to analyze the quality of menstruation-related content on TikTok.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study of TikTok videos and corresponding accounts examined six pre-determined menstruation-related hashtags in May 2023. Deductive qualitative analysis was performed between three coders to identify themes and content of the available videos.

RESULTS

A total of 140 videos created by 107 unique accounts were identified. The videos had varying purposes including audience education (66%), entertainment (35%), and product advertisement (17%). Videos mentioned various menstrual hygiene products, menstruation-related advice, and symptoms of menses. A vast majority of videos appeared to be created by laypersons with only 8% being led by health-care professionals.

DISCUSSION

With TikTok's usage as a social platform among youth, it displays potential as a tool to enhance menstrual education and destigmatization. There is a need for more menstruation experts to join the platform and provide quality material for users.

TikTok content on measles-rubella vaccine in Jordan: A cross-sectional study highlighting the spread of vaccine misinformation

Social media platforms, including TikTok, have become influential sources of health information. However, they also present as potential sources for the spread of vaccine misinformation. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of measles-rubella (MR) vaccine-related contents on TikTok in Jordan and to analyze factors associated with vaccine misinformation. A systematic search for MR vaccine-related TikTok contents in Jordan was conducted using pre-defined keywords and a specified time range. Content metrics (likes, comments, shares, and saves) were collected while the content quality of health information was evaluated using a modified version of the DISCERN, a validated instrument by two expert raters. The average modified DISCERN score ranged from 1, denoting poor content, to 5, indicating excellent content. A total of 50 videos from 34 unique content creators formed the final study sample. The majority of MR vaccine-related content was created by lay individuals (61.8%), followed by TV/news websites/journalists (23.5%), and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (14.7%). The Cohen κ per modified DISCERN item was in the range of 0.579-0.808, p<0.001), indicating good to excellent agreement. The overall average modified DISCERN score was 2±1.2, while it was only 1.3±0.52 for lay individuals' content, which indicated poor content quality. For the normalized per number of followers for each source, content by lay individuals had a significantly higher number of likes, saves, and shares with p=0.009, 0.012, and 0.004, respectively. Vaccine misinformation was detected in 58.8% of the videos as follows: lay individuals (85.7%), TV/news websites/journalists (25.0%), and HCPs content had none (p<0.001). Normalized per the number of followers for each source, videos flagged as having MR vaccine misinformation reached a higher number of likes, saves, and shares (p=0.012, 0.016, and 0.003, respectively). In conclusion, substantial dissemination of TikTok MR vaccine-related misinformation in Jordan was detected. Rigorous fact-checking is warranted by the platform to address misinformation on TikTok, which is vital to improve trust in MR vaccination and ultimately protect public health.

Social Media Use and Sleep Quality Among Secondary School Students in Aseer Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Use of different social media platforms has increased radically over the past decade, emerging as an important part of adolescents and young people's everyday life. This might exert potential adverse effects on sleep quality and daytime performance of young adults.

Aim of Study

To assess the relation between use of social media platforms and sleep quality among public secondary school students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 961 students in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Students were asked to fill in a structured interview questionnaire covering personal data, pattern of social media use, sleep quality using The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and their mental health status using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21).

Results

Students' ages ranged from 15 to 20 years with a mean age of 16.7 ± 2.1 years old. A total of 570 (59.3%) students were females. Tiktok (80%), Snapchat (77.9%), Instagram (63.8%) and YouTube (58.8%) were the most reported platforms used. Regarding their sleep quality, 34.7% of students were poor sleepers. TikTok use (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.77), hours spent on social media (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.16-1.37) and having moderate to severe depressive symptoms (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.19-2.40) were significant independent predictors of poor sleep among the studied sample.

Conclusion

The present study emphasized the association between prolonged use of social media and poor sleep quality among Saudi adolescents. Awareness and behavioral change strategies and activities concerning the drawbacks of poor sleep and proper use of social media are urgently called for to control mental and physical health consequences of poor sleep and social media addiction.

COVID-19 Vaccines #ForYou: Analyzing COVID-19 Vaccine Videos on TikTok During the Early Phase of the Vaccine Rollout in the U.S

This study examined COVID-19 vaccine videos on TikTok (n = 216 collected in March 2021) during the early days of the vaccine rollout in the U.S., including video source, overall stance toward COVID-19 vaccines, Health Belief Model (HBM)-related content, message features (i.e. humor, video type, message sensation value, on-screen text, and unoriginal sound), and user engagement indices (number of views, shares, comments, and likes). Regarding source, health professionals and general users were two of the main sources, which varied depending on video stance. Pro-vaccine videos occurred the most often from health professionals whereas anti-vaccine videos occurred the most often from general users. Health professionals (vs. general users) generated more views, shares, comments, and likes. Regarding stance, we found more pro- than anti-vaccine videos (57.9% vs. 37.5%). Stance was not related with any user engagement index. Though many videos were pro-vaccine, the content corresponding to HBM-specified factors, which likely facilitate a positive behavioral change, was largely lacking, such as mentions of COVID-19 severity (5.6%), susceptibility (2.8%) and information boosting vaccination self-efficacy (3.7%). Mentions of side effects (34%) emerged as the major vaccination barrier. HBM-related mentions were not related with any user engagement index. COVID-19 vaccine videos used several features, which varied across stance. Pro-vaccine videos featured more musical performance, while anti-vaccine videos used more humor, playacting, sound effects, and unoriginal sound. Several message features (e.g. humor and on-screen text) were positively associated with users' engagement with a video. Practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

A Review of the Design of Multimedia Patient Educational Materials in Low Back Pain Research

Low back pain guidelines recommend patient education as a component of management. Multimedia education materials to provide patient education are increasingly being used not only due to the convenience of digital services but also because this is an efficient way to deliver educational information to under-resourced or rural/remote regions without optimal healthcare services. To maximize the knowledge transfer of research findings and low back pain guidelines, scientifically backed information must evolve beyond journal prints, bland government websites, and the basic web design of budget-constrained advocacy groups. Materials must instead be engaging for the public and compete with the various sources of low back pain misinformation, which can appear attractive and eye-catching while being conveniently accessed. We discuss a data subset from a larger musculoskeletal healthcare review to highlight the educational materials used in low back pain randomized controlled trials found in the literature. While there is no standard way to appraise the effectiveness of such educational materials, potential options are discussed. Future research is needed to determine whether knowledge is being transferred and whether this is the avenue to improving patient outcomes.

Examining the growth in willingness to pay for digital wellbeing services on social media: A comparative analysis

In recent years, there has been a growing need for social media platforms to offer services that preserve and promote users' digital wellbeing, including better protection of personal data and balanced technology usage. However, the current business model of social media is often seen as in conflict with users' digital wellbeing. In 2020, a study investigated users' willingness to pay monetary fees for social media digital wellbeing services. In the present work, we replicated this study in Q4 of 2022, aiming to explore any changes in interest and willingness to pay for these services. In addition, we extended the replication by conducting qualitative analysis on participants' comments to gain deeper insight and identify reasons for payment and reasons for rejecting to pay. Data were collected from 262 participants through an online questionnaire. The survey focused on four services: better data protection, less use of data for marketing, aiding users in controlling their prolonged usage, and reducing fake news and radicalisation on social media. The results showed that the willingness to pay for these services was significantly higher in 2022 compared to the results published in 2020. Participants expressed concerns about the feasibility and fairness of the alternative business model, which requires users to pay for safety and support. Our findings suggest a growing interest in digital wellbeing services, emphasizing the need for social media platforms to assess the feasibility of alternative business models, identify user segments, and take measures to enhance consumers' trust, accordingly.

YouTube/ Bilibili/ TikTok videos as sources of medical information on laryngeal carcinoma: cross-sectional content analysis study

BACKGROUND

YouTube, a widely recognized global video platform, is inaccessible in China, whereas Bilibili and TikTok are popular platforms for long and short videos, respectively. There are many videos related to laryngeal carcinoma on these platforms. This study aims to identify upload sources, contents, and feature information of these videos on YouTube, Bilibili, and TikTok, and further evaluate the video quality.

METHODS

On January 1, 2024, we searched the top 100 videos by default sort order (300 videos in total) with the terms "laryngeal carcinoma" and "throat cancer" on YouTube, "" on Bilibili and TikTok. Videos were screened for relevance and similarity. Video characteristics were documented, and quality was assessed by using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), Global Quality Score (GQS), and modified DISCERN (mDISCERN).

RESULTS

The analysis included 99 YouTube videos, 76 from Bilibili, and 73 from TikTok. Median video lengths were 193 s (YouTube), 136 s (Bilibili), and 42 s (TikTok). TikTok videos demonstrated higher audience interaction. Bilibili had the lowest ratio of original contents (69.7%). Treatment was the most popular topic on YouTube and Bilibili, while that was the prognosis on TikTok. Solo narration was the most common video style across all platforms. Video uploaders were predominantly non-profit organizations (YouTube), self-media (Bilibili), and doctors (TikTok), with TikTok authors having the highest certification rate (83.3%). Video quality, assessed using PEMAT, VIQI, GQS, and mDISCERN, varied across platforms, with YouTube generally showing the highest scores. Videos from professional authors performed better than videos from non-professionals based on the GQS and mDISCERN scores. Spearman correlation analysis showed no strong relationships between the video quality and the audience interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Videos on social media platforms can help the public learn about the knowledge of laryngeal cancer to some extent. TikTok achieves the best flow, but videos on YouTube are of the best quality. However, the video quality across all platforms still needs enhancement. We need more professional uploaders to ameliorate the video quality related to laryngeal carcinoma. Content creators also should be aware of the certification, the originality, and the style of video shooting. As for the platforms, refining the algorithm will allow users to receive more high-quality videos.

Problematic social media use in childhood and adolescence

At the time of writing, about 4.59 billion people use social media with many adolescents using their social media accounts across a myriad of applications and platforms. According to recent statistics, in 2022 individuals spent an average of 151 minutes on social media each day, illustrating the global relevance of social media (Dixon, 2022a,b). One of the pressing questions, internationally, is whether social media use is harmful and/or addictive. This question is of particular importance because many teenagers - and younger adolescents - spend considerable time on these platforms, which have increasingly become an integral part of their lives. Moreover, considering lifespan development, adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to specific features and advertisements shown to them on social media platforms. Growing prevalence of poor mental health in young people has led to recent recommendations in the United States to routinely screen for anxiety in 8-18 year olds, and for depression and suicide risk for adolescents between 12-18 years of age (US Preventive Services Task Force et al., 2022 a,b) - the conditions often accompanying problematic social media use. The present work not only provides insights into the current state of the literature but provides also recommendations.

The relationship between short-form video use and depression among Chinese adolescents: Examining the mediating roles of need gratification and short-form video addiction

Short-form video apps, such as TikTok, have become popular worldwide. Compared to traditional social media, they have powerful push algorithms and are more entertaining, which might lead to some negative effects. Research has attempted to identify the relationship between short-form video use and depression, but the processes mechanism underly the relationship was few in number. The present study explored the association between short-form video use and depression among Chinese adolescents and analyzed the mediating roles of need gratification and short-form video addiction. The participants included 1302 senior high school students (Mage = 16.03, SD = 0.76, 42.6 % boys). And a structure equation model with chain mediating was established using Mplus. The results showed (1) a direct association between short-form video use and adolescent depression, (2) that entertainment need gratification, social-related need gratification, and short-form video addiction acted as chain mediating factors, and (3) no gender difference in the model. The present study's findings revealed the important mediating role of addictive behavior between normal use behavior and depression and suggested that preventative and interventional plans based on need gratification should be developed to reduce short-form video addiction and improve mental health.

Between Play and Exploitation: What Is the Place of the Rights of Child YouTubers?

This article aims to reflect on the images of childhood in videos featuring child YouTubers playing, analyzing the nature of play portrayed in them and its relationship with the child's right to play and be protected against any form of exploitation.

METHOD

A documentary study of 100 videos shared on YouTube was conducted, subjected to categorical content analysis with an emphasis on the modes of participation of adults and children in dialogues with the platform's languages present in the videos.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The boundaries between children's artistic expression and child labor exploitation are becoming increasingly challenging, with legal discussions presenting difficulties in regulation due to the home environment and predominant parental control. The analysis reveals how the videos are perceived as standardized commodities, hiding the concrete work behind an image of apparent spontaneity.

CONCLUSION

The research highlights contractual digital risks for children, focusing on those related to commercialization. The analyzed videos reflect an instrumentalization of the child's basic right to play, associated with market interests, an aspect that takes on the contours of child labor exploitation, compromising the freedom to play spontaneously.

Burn Injuries From TikTok Challenges: A Brief Report

Social media (e.g., TikTok) challenge is a relatively new phenomenon wherein a user creates and posts videos performing an often-dangerous task. The ease of access and availability of social media in recent times make teens and young adults susceptible to these viral Internet challenges and accidental injury. The severity, morbidity, and mortality of burn injuries from social media challenges have not readily been documented in the medical literature. In this brief report, we present three cases of accidental burns after attempting social media challenges involving boiling water or flame. The injuries ranged from superficial partial thickness burns to 24% total body surface area (TBSA) full thickness burns. Online challenges show the potential for severe injury and disability and underlie the importance of awareness and education of the public, further research into the usage of TikTok and other media platforms, and early referral to the American Burn Association recognized center.

TikTok Tracheostomy Video Analysis of Quality, Credibility, and Readability

Objective The goal of this study is to analyze the quality, credibility, and readability of videos on TikTok related to tracheostomy in order to assess the adequacy of the information for patient and parental education purposes. Study design This was a cross-sectional analysis of online content. Methods The social media platform TikTok was explored for videos related to tracheostomy. The search function was utilized with multiple hashtags related to tracheostomy and videos were reviewed and scored for quality, credibility, and readability. Each of the videos was assessed using the DISCERN criteria, JAMA benchmark, and readability score based on text either presented in the video or written in the caption. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated for each of the studied parameters. Results The TikTok search bar was queried using multiple hashtags, including "#trach," "#tracheostomy," "#trachea," and "#tracheotomy" for relevant videos from October 14 to October 15, 2021. Overall, 60 videos were selected for complete review and analysis. The total views for all related videos analyzed was 17,712,281. The total likes were 693,812. The videos were primarily posted by non-healthcare professionals making up approximately 72% of all videos. Videos created by physicians generated 63% of all views. The average DISCERN score for each video was 24.83 out of 75. The average Flesch Reading Ease score was 70.59 and the average Flesch-Kincaid Grade level was 5.5. There was a positive DISCERN score and views with R = 0.255 (p = 0.049), positive correlation between DISCERN and likes R = 0.334 (p = 0.009), positive correlation between DISCERN and JAMA R = 0.56 (p=<0.0001), positive correlation between DISCERN and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level R = 0.330 (p=0.010) and a negative correlation between DISCERN and Flesch Reading Ease Score R = -0.337 (p=0.009). There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between JAMA and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level R = 0.260 (p=0.045). Conclusion Overall, the quality of the videos on TikTok regarding tracheostomy rated poorly on the DISCERN quality index but included text that was fairly easy to read. Currently, medical videos on TikTok do not meet the quality metrics needed to properly educate the public and should not be used as a primary resource.

A Social Media Quality Review of Popular Sinusitis Videos on TikTok

OBJECTIVE

Social media may inform health care decisions among younger patient populations. TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to post short-form videos. This study aimed to assess the quality of sinusitis-related videos on TikTok.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched TikTok on January 29, 2023, for sinusitis-related hashtags: #sinusitis, #sinus, #sinusinfection.

SETTING

Internet.

METHODS

The number of views/shares per day, uploader type (nonmedical influencer, lay individual, and medical professional) content categories (medical advice, marketing, comedy, and lifestyle/acceptability), and content type (educational vs factual) were collected. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Material and Journal of the American Medical Association criteria score was used to measure understandability, actionability, and reliability. The Global Quality Scale (GQS) was used to evaluate the quality of videos; the harm/benefit score was used to evaluate causative effects. Analyses were performed using analysis of variance (α = .05).

RESULTS

There were 221 videos identified, which garnered over 300 million views and 1 million shares. Almost half of the videos were published by nonmedical influencers. When controlling for covariates, nonmedical influencers and lay uploaders were more likely to have harmful harm/benefit scores, less understandable videos, and lower GQS scores compared to medical professionals. Less than half of videos posted by nonmedical influencers categorized as educational were factual (46.7%); lay individuals and medical professionals had higher rates of factual educational content (79.9% and 83.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Most nonmedical influencer-posted TikTok videos about sinusitis are inaccurate, despite being portrayed as medical advice/educational. Rhinologists must find modern ways to disseminate true disease-related content via social media to combat medical misinformation.

Exploring Digital Dermatology: An Analysis of Ichthyosis Content on TikTok

Background TikTok is among the most popular social media sites, and its utilization for health information is growing each day. The present study assesses the popularity and quality of the top 100 most-liked videos on TikTok tagged with "#ichthyosis." This study aims to do so by assessing contributions from physician, and nonphysician sources (such as from patients) to guide healthcare professionals interested in leveraging this platform for public health.  Methodology A cross-sectional analysis of the top 100 most-liked videos tagged with "#ichythosis" on TikTok as of January 3, 2024, was conducted. The parameters assessed for this study include observable characteristics, content type, and whether the creator was a physician or nonphysician. The quality of the content was measured using the DISCERN scale.  Results Based on these results, 14 of the top 100 videos were posted by physicians with 1,912,975 as the mean number of views. There were 86 videos posted by nonphysician creators averaging 2,675,341 views. Videos posted by nonphysician creators had a higher average number of views, number of likes, and number of comments but less average saves. Videos made by physicians and educational content had the highest average DISCERN scores, whereas nonphysician, awareness, and personal experience content had the lowest average DISCERN scores.  Conclusions Physicians are deemed trustworthy, reliable sources of healthcare-related information on TikTok. This study emphasizes the importance of physicians continuing to provide reliable, evidence-based health information on social media platforms such as TikTok.

Green Consumer Behavior of Sports Enthusiasts on TikTok-An Analysis of the Moderating Effect of Green Concern

The short-form video platform TikTok has become highly popular. This study explores how professional sports teams can effectively leverage short-form videos to promote green values such as environmental conservation and sustainable development, thereby capturing user attention and enhancing user engagement. This study primarily aimed to investigate the effects of a green brand image on green word of mouth (WOM), customer stickiness, and consumer purchase intention, with further examination regarding the moderating effect of green concerns on these relationships. Few studies have explored the presence of professional sports teams on TikTok, particularly in the context of green issues. Accordingly, this study adopts a novel method to develop specific and actionable recommendations for professional sports teams who have a presence on social media. Additionally, via the application of the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory, this study explains how the green brand image presented by professional sports teams on TikTok influences the interactive relationships among green WOM, customer stickiness, and consumer purchase intention. This study recruited 600 individuals who were either fans of the Taipei Fubon Braves, which is a team in Taiwan's professional basketball league P.LEAGUE+, or fans of other teams. After a confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicate positive correlations in all tested paths. The green concern of the Taipei Fubon Braves' fans moderated the relationship between green WOM and purchase intention; however, this moderating effect was not identified among the non-Taipei Fubon Braves fans. These findings introduce innovative concepts to the field of marketing, contributing substantially to both practical applications and academic research.

Procrastination Mediates the Relationship between Problematic TikTok Use and Depression among Young Adults

Background: Although the prevalence of depression has increased significantly in recent years, especially in the young adult population, little is known about its causes and risk factors. The study aims to examine the mediating role of TikTok use in the relationships between procrastination and depression in young adults. Methods: A sample of 448 adults, ranging in age from 18 to 35 years (M = 24.45, SD = 3.76), including 214 men (48%), participated in the study. The cross-sectional survey consists of a modified Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) to assess problematic TikTok use (PTTU), the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS) for procrastination measurement, and the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for screening depression symptoms. Results: The independent samples t-test indicates that emerging adults (ages ranging between 18 and 25 years) have more severe depression symptoms than young adults (26-35 years old). Gender differences were not found for procrastination, PTTU, and depression symptoms. Positive correlations were found between procrastination, PTTU, and depression symptoms. PTTU plays a mediating role in the associations between procrastination and depression. Conclusions: Both procrastination and PTTU treatment should be prioritized in the prevention and intervention programs for improving mental health among young adults. Some effective therapeutic methods are recommended.

Depressive inclinations mediate the association between personality (neuroticism/conscientiousness) and TikTok Use Disorder tendencies

BACKGROUND

We introduce a novel measure for assessing TikTok overuse, called the TikTok Use Disorder-Questionnaire (TTUD-Q). As part of ongoing investigations into the suitability of the World Health Organization's (WHO) framework for diagnosing Gaming Disorder in the context of social media overuse, we developed this questionnaire by adapting the WHO framework, replacing the term "gaming" with "TikTok use".

METHODS

In order to address this question, we investigated the psychometric properties of the newly designed TTUD-Q and assessed its associations with the BFI-10 (assessing the Big Five of Personality) and the PHQ-8 (assessing depressive tendencies).

RESULTS

In this study, involving a final sample of 378 participants, we observed that higher levels of neuroticism were linked to greater tendencies toward TikTok Use Disorder (TTUD). Furthermore, we identified that this association was mediated by depressive tendencies. Similar trends emerged when investigating the relationship between lower levels of conscientiousness and higher TTUD tendencies, with depressive tendencies once again serving as a mediator.

DISCUSSION

Our research sets the foundation for future studies that should delve deeper into examining individual differences in TTUD using the WHO framework originally designed for Gaming Disorder.

The status quo of short videos as a source of health information regarding bowel preparation before colonoscopy

Background

For high-quality colonoscopies, adequate bowel preparation is a prerequisite, closely associated with the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic safety of colonoscopy. Although popular-science short videos can help people quickly access health information, the overall quality of such short videos as a source of health information regarding bowel preparation before colonoscopy is unclear. Therefore, we intend to conduct a cross-sectional study to investigate the quality of bowel preparation information before colonoscopy through short videos taken on TikTok and Bilibili.

Methods

The Chinese phrases "colonoscopy" and "bowel preparation" were used as keywords to search for and screen the top 100 videos in the comprehensive rankings on TikTok and Bilibili. The Global Quality Score (GQS) and the modified DISCERN score were used to assess the quality of the information provided in these short videos.

Results

A total of 186 short videos were included in this study; 56.5% of them were posted by health professionals, whereas 43.5% of them were posted by nonhealth professionals. The overall quality of these videos was unsatisfactory, with a median DISCERN score of 3 (2-4) and a median GQS of 3 (3-4). The radar maps showed that videos posted by gastroenterologists had higher completeness scores regarding outcomes, management, and risk factors, while nongastroenterologists had higher completeness scores concerning adverse effects, symptoms, and definitions of bowel preparation. Additionally, the median DISCERN score and GQS of the videos posted by gastroenterologists were 3 (3-4) and 3 (3-4), respectively, whereas the quality of the videos posted by patients was the worst, with a median DISCERN score of 2 (1-2) and a median GQS of 2 (1.25-3).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the overall quality of health information-related videos on bowel preparation before colonoscopy posted on specified short video platforms was not satisfactory. Gastroenterologists provide more information on the outcomes, management, and risk factors for bowel preparation before colonoscopy, while nongastroenterologists focus on adverse effects, symptoms, and definitions of bowel preparation.

Social media addiction relationship with academic engagement in university students: The mediator role of self-esteem, depression, and anxiety

This research analyzed how addiction to social media relates to academic engagement in university students, considering the mediating role of self-esteem, symptoms of depression, and anxiety. A quantitative methodology was used with a non-experimental-relational design. A set of questionnaires was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 412 students enrolled at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. On average, participants use 4.83 different social media platforms at least once a week. Instagram and TikTok users report significantly higher levels of social media addiction, symptoms of depression, and anxiety compared to non-users. Directly, social media addiction does not significantly influence academic engagement scores. However, there are significant indirect inverse effects on academic engagement. Symptoms of depression and self-esteem mediate these effects. Social media addiction increases symptoms of depression, which in turn decreases academic engagement scores. Social media addiction decreases self-esteem, which serves as a variable that significantly increases academic engagement. Overall, findings suggest that social media addiction has a total inverse effect on academic engagement; symptoms of depression and self-esteem mediate this relationship. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Which social media platforms matter and for whom? Examining moderators of links between adolescents' social media use and depressive symptoms

INTRODUCTION

Despite extensive research on social media and risks for mental health, not enough is known about individual differences in these risks.

METHODS

The present study, with data collected from 2018 to 2020, investigated the association between social media use (total and for specific platforms) and depressive symptoms in a sample of 237 American adolescents (Mage  = 15.10; SD = 0.49; 51.1% girls and 48.5% boys). We investigated several moderators: gender, self-esteem, personality, and negative reactions to social media. Covariates were gender, timing of the follow-up (pre vs. during the pandemic), and depressive symptoms a year earlier.

RESULTS

Results indicated that greater total time spent on social media was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. This effect held for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (but not Snapchat, Facebook, or Twitter). Several moderated effects were found. Twitter was associated with more depressive symptoms for girls but not boys. More frequent Instagram use was linked to more depressive symptoms for less or average-level extraverted teens but not for more extraverted teens, suggesting extraversion may be protective. More frequent TikTok use was associated with more depressive symptoms, particularly for teens who said they have more or average-level negative reactions to social media a year earlier.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that certain adolescents may be at increased risk for serious mental health challenges, like elevated depressive symptoms, when using TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter more frequently, underscoring the importance of examining individual differences and particular social media platforms.

Evaluation of the quality of thyroidectomy-related posts on a video-based social media platform

Objective

To evaluate the quality of thyroidectomy-related posts on TikTok, the fastest-growing social media platform worldwide.

Methods

Videos posted from April 2020 to September 2022 were queried on TikTok using the search terms "thyroidsurgery," "thyroidectomy," and "thyroidremoval." Two reviewers recorded thematic, demographic, and performance data of these posts. The DISCERN instrument was used to evaluate the quality and reliability of the information contained in the videos. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize post-submitter demographics and video content. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between DISCERN scores and video characteristics. Univariate analysis of variance was performed to compare DISCERN scores between author types.

Results

In this study, 228 TikTok videos were included which totaled over 23 million views. On average, each video accumulated more than 6000 "likes," 300 comments, and 70 shares. The average total DISCERN score was 27.46, which is deemed to be of poor overall quality. Upon multiple linear regression, video duration (β = 4.66, p < .001) and educational subject type (β = 3.97, p < .001) significantly positively predicted aggregate DISCERN scores, while journey subject type (β = -3.19, p = .006), and reassurance subject type (β = -2.52, p = .035) significantly negatively predicted aggregate DISCERN scores. Aggregate DISCERN scores varied significantly (p < .05) between author types.

Conclusion

Social media posts on TikTok about thyroidectomy are mostly of poor quality and reliability but vary by authorship, subject type, and video characteristics. Given its widespread popularity, TikTok videos may have an increasing role in shaping patient perception of thyroidectomy and may represent an opportunity to provide education.

Lay summary

TikTok posts about thyroidectomy are mostly of poor quality but vary by authorship, subject, and video characteristics. Given its popularity, TikTok videos may have a role in shaping the patient perception of thyroidectomy and may represent an opportunity to provide education.

Level of evidence

Level 4.