There’s a lot about the internet to be thankful for. Our ancestors from beyond 2 generations ago wouldn’t have fathomed such a world where a plethora of information and people can be accessed from a few clicks of a button, especially on a tiny device we can carry everywhere in our pockets.
Social media has indeed connected people in ways unlike anything before. But unfortunately, with the rise of social media comes the increasingly dangerous culture of misinformation. With popular platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram dominating the market, a rise of influencers seeking to establish themselves through views and clicks have become apparent through selling fake health promises, gimmick workouts, and unregulated supplements that aren’t credible.
Educating ourselves and improving our knowledge on what’s legitimate and what’s not is crucial to helping us spot red flags in social media fitness scams. Here are some wise tips and reminders to help keep you informed and scam-proof.
Fact-Check Everything You See (And Hear)
Fitness influencers can play an important role in motivating and inspiring you towards healthier habits and lifestyles. But falling for any advice without doing your own research may increase your likelihood of being misled and scammed. Unfortunately, not all fitness influencers provide genuine and scientifically credible information. A published 2023 study discovered that almost two-thirds of the top 100 influencers on social media promoted unrealistic and unhealthy physiques to their followers.
Today’s young social media users are constantly faced with unrealistic body ideals that lead them to have low self-esteem due to comparing themselves with what they see online. With 40% of teenagers reportedly worried about their self-image due to such comparisons, this is where fitness influencers tend to exploit insecurities by marketing unnecessary supplements with no medical credentials, such as BCAAs, creatine blends, and even detox teas. Influencers who frequently promote sponsored content for diets, products, or even workout plans without clarifying the rationale and science behind them are an instant red flag that should prompt you to fact-check them to verify their legitimacy. If there is limited information that justifies it, it’s most likely disingenuous and best to stay away from. This, rather than simply taking an influencer’s word for it, is key in helping you settle for health solutions that are actually beneficial.
Refer to the Right Health Credentials
Be aware of influencers claiming to be experts in areas where they lack expertise. Fit-influencers who consistently provide advice, especially on health and nutrition, without being certified professionals themselves, can easily mislead vulnerable audiences into unrealistic goals and expectations.
With so much misinformation spreading all over social media, referring to the right credible sources for advice and tips is a great way to help you stay informed and aware of what is factual and what isn’t. For instance, look for people who are qualified to inform you about what you need, like an online nurse educator to help strengthen your understanding and expertise, and provide advice that is backed by science, rather than a paid affiliation incentive.
Remember that at the end of the day, all fitness influencers are essentially content creators. You could go a long way by prioritizing internet personalities who at least have recognized qualifications and experience from reputable organisations. These are individuals who are more likely to be open about their methods to better equip their audiences with all the knowledge they need, like explaining the risks and downsides to a product, not just the benefits and highlights.
Avoid Extreme Claims & Quick Fixes
Content with exaggerated claims that promise quick fixes are problematic and signals unrealistic results that aren’t backed by science. This could be anywhere along the lines of “This diet will cure cancer” or “This supplement will make you lose four pounds in a week”. Scientifically speaking, such drastic changes can cause more harm to your body and land you in bigger health problems down the road, so it’s best to simply stay away and find a less intensive regime that is more sustainable and achievable over the long term. This is because great results will always require hard work, commitment, and time. Anyone telling you otherwise on an Instagram reel is likely trying to sell you something.
The flooding of misinformation through social media widely demonstrates how Influencer marketing can blur the line between legitimate marketing and potential manipulation, especially when it’s tied to affiliate programs. Fit-influencers with large followings earn significant income streams from affiliate revenues that they attain through partnering with companies through sales generated from their profile pages.
According to an EMarketer forecast, US brands are projected to invest roughly $10.5 billion dollars this year towards brand partnerships with influencers to increase coverage of the social media market. While this seems like a highly promising business model for aspiring content creators, such financial incentives, coupled with one’s high level of influence and authority, can potentially drive them towards promoting products for profit, over the ethical obligation of providing credible information. This further pushes biases and contributes to the increased spread of misinformation. While affiliations from your favourite gym TikTokker isn’t inherently bad, always be cautious of their message, especially if they are heavily driven by sponsorship.
Looking to social media for fitness and health inspiration comes with risks that anyone is vulnerable if they aren’t vigilant. Fact-checking things you see and hear, listening to the right credible experts, and spotting promises that sound too good to be true are all crucial advice to help fight misinformation that is detrimental to our health and well-being.