Dorset young people turning to TikTok and AI for health information
The findings come from a survey co-produced with youth volunteers and completed by 55 young people aged 16 to 30 across Dorset. The project explored where young people seek health information, their confidence in navigating NHS services and the barriers they face in accessing support.
The report found that digital platforms now play a central role in how young people access health and wellbeing information. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they access information online, with TikTok (51%) and AI tools (33%) among the most popular sources. However, only 24% said they routinely check whether information comes from trusted organisations such as the NHS or BBC.
While awareness of some NHS services was high, confidence in using them was often lower. Although 82% of respondents knew what NHS 111 is used for, almost half said they would not feel confident using the service. Many also reported uncertainty about when to use services such as Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres, highlighting gaps in understanding how to navigate the healthcare system.
Mental health emerged as a recurring theme, with respondents describing barriers including stigma, concerns about whether they would be taken seriously and difficulties accessing support. Among those living with a long-term health condition, almost half (44%) felt their condition was not being managed well by the NHS.
The report makes five recommendations to help improve young people's access to reliable health information and support. These include increasing the availability of NHS-verified content on platforms used by young people, strengthening health literacy through education, improving awareness of NHS services, reducing barriers to accessing support and ensuring better care planning for those living with long-term conditions.
Louise Bate, Manager at Healthwatch Dorset, said: "This project gives us a fascinating insight into how young people are accessing health information today. While it's encouraging to see many taking an active interest in their health, the findings also show a growing reliance on information that may not always come from trusted or verified sources.
"Young people told us they want health information that is accessible, relevant and available through the platforms they use every day. They also want greater confidence in navigating NHS services and knowing where to turn when they need help. We hope these findings will help local services better understand and respond to those needs."
Responding to the report, Dr Dean Spencer, PLACE Director - Dorset, said: "NHS Dorset welcomes this report and would like to thank Healthwatch Dorset and the young volunteers who co-produced this important piece of work. The findings provide valuable insight into how young people are accessing health information and services and highlight both the opportunities and challenges presented by the increasing use of digital and social media platforms.
"It is clear that many young people are using social media and emerging technologies to support their health decisions, and we must ensure that trusted NHS information is easy to find through the channels they use every day."
