HEALTH IN A TIK

Admit it, we've all been there — mindlessly scrolling through TikTok when suddenly something makes us pause. Maybe it's a viral beauty trend, a green flag boyfriend or a cat with a GoPro strapped to its head — no complaints there!

- COMPILED BY: ELAINE OBRAN

But TikTok isn't just a platform for light entertainment and doomscrolling. New studies show that young people in particular are increasingly turning to social media for something far more serious. Yes, you guessed it - welcome to the strange and unregulated world of Dr TikTok.

WHY ARE YOUNG PEOPLE SEARCHING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SOLUTIONS?

Understanding the drivers behind the rise of online health and wellness trends requires looking beyond our screens and into the broader socioeconomic pressures shaping daily life.

Gen Z, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, with essential services like healthcare becoming more and more unaffordable. In contrast, TikTok is free, accessible and instantly available at the swipe of a finger.

Dr Michael Wright, GP and president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), has seen this digital shift play out in his own practice. He believes it's a trend that needs to change.