#ActuallyAutistic: The Impact of TikTok on Autism Self-Diagnosis and Stigma

Presenter

Jessica Serken

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Ashley Woodman, Department of Psychology, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A71, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 4 (A61-A80) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

The recent rise of TikTok as a social media platform has brought a new wave of information spreading, creating a new way to influence thoughts and diagnoses. Because the critical developmental period of emotional regulation coincides with the time adolescents usually gain independent access to the Internet, these effects can be dramatic. Diagnosis-based misinformation has led to a phenomenon known as “cyberchondria”, contributing to self-diagnosis and anxiety over mental or physical health concerns displayed on social media. Cyberchondria is attributed to an increase in misinformation, misdiagnosis, self-treatment, and unrealistic expectations and mistrust of medical professionals. The purpose of this study is to dive into the ways TikTok users are sharing information about autism, and whether or not the “facts” they are sharing are correct, misdirected, or harmful. This study will consider public TikTok videos centered around self-diagnosis and autism that include the hashtags #ActuallyAutistic and #AutismTok, as well as additional videos suggested by the TikTok algorithm. With the assistance of NVivo, videos will be coded based on a) the goal of the video, b) accuracy of the information, and c) information shared, such as diagnosis experience. Comments on the video from other users will be coded based on a) agreeance, b) identification with the characteristics, and c) calling out of misinformation. This study expects to find that a large number of these TikToks were meant to spread information and personal experiences, involving symptoms or characteristics. It is expected that the majority of these videos will spread false or exaggerated information. 

Keywords

autism, social media, TikTok, self-diagnosis

Research Area

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

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