Evaluate the effectiveness of social media in influencing young people's health behaviours. (8 marks)
--- 22 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
Show Answers Only
ANSWER STYLE #1: General Points to use within student-chosen answer structure
- Social media platforms provide accessible health information and education through influencers promoting positive health behaviors such as exercise routines, nutrition advice, and mental health awareness campaigns.
- Online communities create support networks for young people facing health challenges, reducing isolation and providing encouragement for those managing conditions like anxiety, depression or chronic illnesses.
- However, social media can spread misinformation about health practices, particularly concerning nutrition, fitness, and mental health treatments, leading young people to adopt potentially harmful practices without professional guidance.
- The pressure to conform to idealised body images on platforms like Instagram contributes to poor body image, with research showing increased rates of disordered eating patterns among heavy social media users.
- Health promotion campaigns utilising social media have demonstrated effectiveness in reaching young audiences with targeted messaging about issues like quitting smoking and sexual health, particularly when content is youth-led and authentic.
- The algorithms of social media platforms can create echo chambers that reinforce harmful behaviours like extreme dieting or substance use by connecting users with similar content, limiting exposure to balanced health perspectives.
ANSWER STYLE #2: Highly structured
Evaluation Statement
- Social media is partially effective in influencing young people’s health behaviours.
- This evaluation examines reach and engagement capabilities versus harmful content exposure.
Reach and Engagement
- Social media demonstrates superior reach for health messaging to young audiences.
- Evidence supporting this includes health campaigns achieving millions of views through youth influencers.
- Online support communities successfully connect isolated young people managing anxiety or chronic illnesses.
- Online platforms are very good at engaging young people through interactive features and peer-to-peer support networks.
- For example, youth-led content about quitting smoking shows 60% higher engagement than traditional campaigns.
- Another critical strength is 24/7 accessibility allowing immediate health information access.
Harmful Content Exposure
- Social media can often fail to achieve safe health information delivery for vulnerable youth.
- Research indicates that Instagram use correlates with increased eating disorders among teenagers due to its algorithms creating echo chambers that reinforce extreme dieting.
- Platforms inadequately fulfil their responsibility to filter health misinformation. While strong in spreading content, online platforms do not consider it their responsibility to verify its accuracy.
- As a result, harmful content such as unqualified influencers promoting dangerous detox teas can reach more youth than qualified health professionals.
Final Evaluation
- Weighing these factors shows social media’s influence is a double-edged sword.
- The strengths partially outweigh weaknesses because positive campaigns can counteract harmful content.
- Although effective for health promotion reach, it proves less suitable for ensuring information quality.
- The overall evaluation demonstrates urgent need for digital health literacy education.
- Implications suggest platforms should be pressured to implement stricter controls over the accuracy of content that appears on their site.
Show Worked Solution
ANSWER STYLE #1: General Points to use within student-chosen answer structure
- Social media platforms provide accessible health information and education through influencers promoting positive health behaviors such as exercise routines, nutrition advice, and mental health awareness campaigns.
- Online communities create support networks for young people facing health challenges, reducing isolation and providing encouragement for those managing conditions like anxiety, depression or chronic illnesses.
- However, social media can spread misinformation about health practices, particularly concerning nutrition, fitness, and mental health treatments, leading young people to adopt potentially harmful practices without professional guidance.
- The pressure to conform to idealised body images on platforms like Instagram contributes to poor body image, with research showing increased rates of disordered eating patterns among heavy social media users.
- Health promotion campaigns utilising social media have demonstrated effectiveness in reaching young audiences with targeted messaging about issues like quitting smoking and sexual health, particularly when content is youth-led and authentic.
- The algorithms of social media platforms can create echo chambers that reinforce harmful behaviours like extreme dieting or substance use by connecting users with similar content, limiting exposure to balanced health perspectives.
ANSWER STYLE #2: Highly structured
Evaluation Statement
- Social media is partially effective in influencing young people’s health behaviours.
- This evaluation examines reach and engagement capabilities versus harmful content exposure.
Reach and Engagement
- Social media demonstrates superior reach for health messaging to young audiences.
- Evidence supporting this includes health campaigns achieving millions of views through youth influencers.
- Online support communities successfully connect isolated young people managing anxiety or chronic illnesses.
- Online platforms are very good at engaging young people through interactive features and peer-to-peer support networks.
- For example, youth-led content about quitting smoking shows 60% higher engagement than traditional campaigns.
- Another critical strength is 24/7 accessibility allowing immediate health information access.
Harmful Content Exposure
- Social media can often fail to achieve safe health information delivery for vulnerable youth.
- Research indicates that Instagram use correlates with increased eating disorders among teenagers due to its algorithms creating echo chambers that reinforce extreme dieting.
- Platforms inadequately fulfil their responsibility to filter health misinformation. While strong in spreading content, online platforms do not consider it their responsibility to verify its accuracy.
- As a result, harmful content such as unqualified influencers promoting dangerous detox teas can reach more youth than qualified health professionals.
Final Evaluation
- Weighing these factors shows social media’s influence is a double-edged sword.
- The strengths partially outweigh weaknesses because positive campaigns can counteract harmful content.
- Although effective for health promotion reach, it proves less suitable for ensuring information quality.
- The overall evaluation demonstrates urgent need for digital health literacy education.
- Implications suggest platforms should be pressured to implement stricter controls over the accuracy of content that appears on their site.