TikTok videos that showcase ways to get an abortion using medication are generally informative and helpful, according to a study led by researchers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine.
The study published in late January in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology evaluated the 100 most viewed TikTok videos tagged #abortionpill, #medicalabortion and #medicationabortion. These videos often detailed what a medical abortion is, how to get it, and the pills involved.
“When we started the study, we expected to find more videos with misinformation,” said study researcher Jenny Wu. After reviewing the data, we were surprised at the accuracy of the videos. A significant number of videos have been created by medical professionals and organizations offering abortions.”
Of the 65 videos featuring public health information, 89.2% were somewhat accurate and 10.8% were mixed. Of the 51 videos with scientific claims, 86.3% were somewhat accurate and 13.7% were mixed.
Several months after the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, which paved the way for abortion bans in several U.S. states, social media platforms can help educate patients and combat the stigma surrounding abortions.