Journal article
Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media: Principles and Attributes
NAM Perspectives, Vol.2021(July 16)
07/16/2021
DOI: 10.31478/202107a
PMCID: PMC8486420
PMID: 34611600
Abstract
Social media is widely used as a source of health information for the general public. The potential for information shared through social media to influence health outcomes necessitates action by social media platforms to enhance access and exposure to high-quality, science-based information. This paper summarizes the work of an independent advisory group convened by the National Academy of Medicine that deliberated and gathered information to develop a set of initial principles and attributes that could inform platforms’ identification and possible elevation of credible sources of health information. Using these principles and attributes as a framework, the authors discuss the likelihood of credibility among major categories and types of nonprofit and government organizations that share health information through social media. The authors also emphasize the need for parallel strategies in addition to source evaluation, including assessment of content, as well as important ethical considerations such as the protection of free speech and individual autonomy. The paper also stresses that, in order to be considered credible themselves, social media platforms should share data with behavioral and public health researchers to understand the effects of such policies on both online and offline behaviors.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media: Principles and Attributes
- Creators
- Raynard S. Kington - Phillips AcademyStacey Arnesen - United States National Library of MedicineWen-Ying Sylvia Chou - National Cancer InstituteSusan J. Curry - University of IowaDavid Lazer - Universidad del NoresteAntonia M. Villarruel - University of Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- NAM Perspectives, Vol.2021(July 16)
- Publisher
- National Academy of Medicine
- DOI
- 10.31478/202107a
- PMID
- 34611600
- PMCID
- PMC8486420
- ISSN
- 2578-6865
- eISSN
- 2578-6865
- Grant note
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/16/2021
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984367244902771
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