Social Media and Global Health: A Double-Edged Sword
Social media can be a source of both reliable health information and harmful misinformation and lies. With the number of people using social media expected to exceed 6 billion by 2027, the challenge for the global health community is how to maximize the many benefits of social media for health and well-being, while containing its substantial adverse effects. Led by DGHI adjunct professor Jonathan Quick and Duke student Zain Jafar, the authors of a new paper on social media for global health will discuss the promise and peril of these powerful channels, with a focus on actions that can be taken by social media companies, governments, and users to promote healthy use of social media, while mitigating its harms.