Welcome to the age of Dr TikTok — where likes are king and GPs are ghosted.
More than 3 million Aussies are playing medical roulette by turning to social media for health advice instead of seeing a doctor, a bombshell report has revealed.
A Finder study, released today, exposes a worrying trend: 1 in 6 Australians – a staggering 16 per cent of the population – now consult social platforms for answers to their health woes, swapping waiting rooms for WiFi and professionals for influencers.
Even more alarming? Women are twice as likely as men to seek out TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube for medical info. That’s 22 per cent of Aussie women, compared to just 11 per cent of men.
Leading the digital diagnosis charge are Gen Zs, with more than a third (36 per cent) admitting they go online for advice rather than visit a GP. That’s a sharp contrast to baby boomers, only 2% of whom are turning to social media when feeling crook.
Peta Taylor, insurance expert at Finder, didn’t mince words.
“Unlike traditional medical sources, social media is largely unregulated. This means there’s little oversight of the accuracy or safety of the information shared. Informed healthcare decisions should come from medical professionals, not viral content.”
The rise of #HealthTok and online “wellness warriors” is being driven by convenience, curiosity — and in some cases — cost.
“It’s one thing to try a makeup trick or golf tip from an influencer, but there are real dangers for bypassing qualified medical professionals,” Taylor warned. Delaying a correct diagnosis could have devastating long term impacts.”
She added the trend also shines a light on the growing financial strain facing everyday Aussies.
“This trend also highlights the financial barriers many Australians face when accessing healthcare, with social media offering a more affordable alternative for those unable to visit a GP.”
But there are smarter, safer options, Taylor said — like bulk billing clinics or investing in private health cover.
“Seek out GPs who offer bulk billing, meaning they accept the Medicare benefit as full payment, so you don’t have out-of-pocket expenses.
While it involves costs, private health insurance can cover services not included in Medicare, such as dental, optical, and some specialist treatments.”
So the next time you feel a lump, rash or weird ache — maybe skip the scroll and call your doctor instead. Because Dr TikTok might be trending, but your health isn’t worth a gamble.
