TikTok made me do it: the risks of self-diagnosing using social media

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dc.contributor.authorYum, Catherine J.
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
dc.contributor.supervisorGunn, Thelma
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-18T20:48:06Z
dc.date.available2025-09-18T20:48:06Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractIn an age where accessing information and personal insights is instantaneous, this project examines the rise of self-diagnosis of mental disorders among social media users. This refers to the idea that information encountered on social media informs an individual’s decision to self-diagnose. Properties of social media such as the ability to rapidly share personal stories, algorithms, and peer interaction may be perpetuating this phenomenon. Additionally, there is growing concern regarding inaccurate information and problematic understandings of mental health concepts. Adolescents appear to be particularly susceptible to this trend based on internal and external factors. Literature on this topic has emerged in recent years, however there is a gap in practice that addresses the risks involved in self-diagnosis using social media. To address this gap, this project suggests recommendations for learning as well as a presentation proposal and slideshow aimed at adolescents based on a comprehensive literature review. Additionally, a presentation proposal for teachers and parents is included. By doing so, social media users may be better equipped to engage in and interact with mental health discourse.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/7139
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education
dc.publisher.facultyEducation
dc.relation.ispartofseriesProject (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education)
dc.subjectsocial media
dc.subjectsocial media users
dc.subjectmedical self-diagnosis
dc.subjectmental disorders
dc.subjectinaccurate information
dc.subjectself-diagnosis risks
dc.subjectadolescents
dc.subjectmental health
dc.subject.lcshSocial media--Influence--Research
dc.subject.lcshSocial media in medicine--Research
dc.subject.lcshDiagnosis--Popular works
dc.subject.lcshSelf-care, Health
dc.subject.lcshHealth education--Popular works
dc.subject.lcshOnline social networks--Influence--Research
dc.subject.lcshMental illness--Diagnosis--Popular works
dc.subject.lcshSocial media and youth--Research
dc.titleTikTok made me do it: the risks of self-diagnosing using social media
dc.typeProject
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