TikTok is taking significant measures to further reduce health misinformation on its platform by collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) on an enhanced fact-checking initiative.

The updated strategy involves TikTok partnering with the WHO’s "Fides" group to strengthen its medical fact-checking capabilities. 

Fides consists of a network of over 800 healthcare professionals active on social media, dedicated to curbing the spread of health-related misinformation by providing factual explanations and insights on important health discussions within the app.

This group has the potential to reach millions across various social media platforms, and TikTok aims to expand their influence and visibility.

According to TikTok: 

“Through this collaboration, Fides network creators in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil will join TikTok to develop and share evidence-based content. We are also contributing $3 million to support WHO’s global initiatives aimed at destigmatizing mental health issues and fostering an informed, empathetic, and supportive online community.”

TikTok mentions that Fides creators will share explanations regarding health and scientific research while offering expert insights into health topics, which will help counter misinformation. This approach could effectively mitigate harmful trends that have surged across social media platforms since the COVID pandemic.

In fact, a survey of U.S. adults conducted in October 2023 revealed that Americans are now less likely to perceive approved vaccines as safe compared to two years ago.

TikTok has also been affected by dangerous health trends. 

As reported by BU Today:

“An analysis of Instagram and TikTok posts from 2022 to 2023 by the Washington Post and the nonprofit news site The Examination revealed that the food, beverage, and dietary supplement industries paid numerous registered dietitian influencers to promote content related to diet soda, sugar, and supplements, reaching millions of viewers. The relationships between the dietitians and the food industry were not always transparently disclosed to their audiences.”

These are precisely the areas where Fides experts can contribute by providing unbiased, expert insights into key health trends and queries, aiding in the education of younger audiences.

This initiative is part of TikTok’s larger effort to promote social good through education, which includes collaborations with scientists to create a dedicated STEM feed. Given the platform’s strong appeal to younger audiences and the rise of short-form content, this partnership holds significant potential for impact.

TikTok has also announced plans to collaborate with Fides creators to provide training on best practices and tips for using the platform effectively.