Borax, a powdery substance found in laundry detergent, is banned in U.S. food products. But some on TikTok have falsely suggested it can reduce inflammation and help with joint pain.
A spokesperson for TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. The platform outlines guidance onin its community guidelines, which it says are enforced using"a combination of technology and moderation teams."
On TikTok in particular, Stephan said, creators' advice sounds plausible and is presented with fun visuals. Johnson-Arbor said some social media trends stem from a misinterpretation of scientific research. In the case of borax, some TikTok creators citedHealth misinformation on social media often centers on the same few themes, Johnson-Arbor said.
Nor do most physicians, who don’t have the time or resources to crusade against dangerous viral trends.Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and a health educator on TikTok, said that in her videos warning users against misinformed trends, she tries to use accessible, jargon-free language.