In order to inform strategies to increase the accessibility of high-quality health information in social media, YouTube asked the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) to identify 1) preliminary definitions of “authoritative” sources of health information and 2) the criteria by which these sources derive and maintain their authority. The project will also outline the ethical, logistical, and public health implications of such strategies for consideration by social media platforms.
Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media: Principles and Attributes
(An individually authored NAM Perspectives Discussion Paper)
ABSTRACT | Social media is widely used as a source of health information for the general public. The potential for information shared through social media to influence health outcomes necessitates action by social media platforms to enhance access and exposure to high-quality, science-based information. This paper summarizes the work of an independent advisory group convened by the National Academy of Medicine that deliberated and gathered information to develop a set of initial principles and attributes that could inform platforms’ identification and possible elevation of credible sources of health information. Using these principles and attributes as a framework, the authors discuss the likelihood of credibility among major categories and types of nonprofit and government organizations that share health information through social media. The authors also emphasize the need for parallel strategies in addition to source evaluation, including assessment of content, as well as important ethical considerations such as the protection of free speech and individual autonomy. The paper also stresses that, in order to be considered credible themselves, social media platforms should share data with behavioral and public health researchers to understand the effects of such policies on both online and offline behaviors.
Project Elements
Advisory Group: An expert advisory group appointed by the NAM will gather information and deliberate in order to author a discussion paper for publication in NAM Perspectives. Notes from the advisory group’s meetings are posted on this webpage.
Public Comment Opportunity: Initial definitions, principles, and questions were posted on this webpage for public comment between April 5 and April 9, 2021. Additional public comment opportunities may be added.
Information-Gathering Webinar: The NAM hosted a public webinar on April 5, 2021, to hear feedback from experts, stakeholders, and the public.
Feedback Synthesis: A summary of feedback received during the public comment period and webinar is posted on this webpage.
Final Discussion Paper: An individually-authored, peer-reviewed paper containing guidance for consideration by social media platforms will be published in Summer 2021.
Advisory Group
- Raynard Kington, MD, MBA, PhD (Chair), Phillips Academy in Andover
- Stacey Arnesen, MS, National Library of Medicine
- Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou, PhD, MPH, National Cancer Institute
- Sue Curry, PhD, University of Iowa (Emeritus)
- David Lazer, PhD, Northeastern University
- Antonia Villarruel, PhD, RN, University of Pennsylvania
Sponsor
Google/YouTube
Staff
- Laura DeStefano (Project Director), Director of Communications, NAM
- David Butler, PhD, Founding Director, Cultural, Ethical, Social, and Environmental Responsibility in Engineering Program, National Academy of Engineering
- Jenna Ogilvie, MFA, Deputy Director of Communications, NAM
- Holly Rhodes, PhD, Director, Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Contact
NAMedicine@nas.edu
Meetings
- March 12, 2021 | First Advisory Group Meeting
- April 5, 2021 | Public Webinar
- April 28, 2021 | Second Advisory Group Meeting
- May 13, 2021 | Third Advisory Group Meeting
- June 14, 2021 | Fourth Advisory Group Meeting
