Did you know that 20% of your TikTok feed is highly likely to contain misinformation? That’s one in every five TikToks you watch! In our world today, it’s so easy to rely on social media, such as Instagram and TikTok, as sources for information – including information that impacts our health and wellbeing. The important thing to keep in mind: advice can sound good, but it can actually be harmful. In today’s bonus episode, we’re joined again by Dr. Natasha Collia (aka "Dr. Tash") to take a pause, and talk about how to know who to trust, about information and misinformation, and some key questions to ask yourself when you see advice online.

Key takeaways: 

• Be aware of the source of information online. Ask questions like “What are their qualifications?”, “Who are they representing?”, “Does the information sound too good to be true?”. Pay special attention to posts pushing and selling products or sounding like an infomercial.
• Canada and the United States don’t always have the same regulations or approvals. Check if a product is legal to be sold and used in Canada.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and FDA review are NOT the same thing. Approval means the product has been through testing and approved for use. Review means the product has been looked at by the FDA but not (yet) approved.

Guest:
Dr. Natasha Collia ("Dr. Tash") - Pediatric Emergency Medicine Doctor and Simulation Educator at SickKids

Follow Dr. Tash on Instagram @dr.tash.official

For more information, visit parachute.ca

Other sources of information:
Health Canada - canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission - cpsc.gov
Food & Drug Administration (FDA) - fda.gov

Popping the Bubble Wrap is a podcast of Parachute, Canada’s national injury prevention charity. We release episodes monthly. Visit us at parachute.ca and follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Parachute Canada.

Popping the Bubble Wrap is produced by Story Studio Network.