When celebrities with large followings on social media make false medical claims, this risks having devastating consequences, according to researchers in the US and Austria who have analyzed posts from influencers in a study in the journal BMJ.
Worry and unnecessary efforts
As an example, they cite Kim Kardashian, who recommended that all of her approximately 360 million followers on Instagram undergo a full-body MRI scan. Doing such a scan without a specific reason has been shown to lead to unnecessary effort, worry, and expense.
Other examples include an influencer who recommended cannabis, vitamin C and apricot kernels to cure cancer. The same person has also claimed that measles is not dangerous for young children. Another has launched a saffron preparation for ADHD, according to the study.
Market yourself
In many cases, the posts may be linked to products that the influencer sells themselves, or they may be linked to influence from companies from which the influencer receives compensation or products. In addition, many of the influencers who provide medical advice have products that they themselves market.
The researchers argue for a number of measures to reduce the risks, including making influencers more responsible for what they write and banning harmful messages.
They also urge experts and authorities to be on the platforms to spread facts and to try to get the companies behind the platforms to take greater responsibility.
