ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces, illustrates, and analyses the finding that young people follow, share, and use health-related information that is shared by reputable social media accounts. The powerful influence of social media on young people’s health-related behaviours suggests that social media should be harnessed by governments, health and wellbeing organisations, and schools/teachers as an important space in which to educate young people about their health. Yet, these stakeholders, as well as celebrities, sportsmen and -women, and ‘sports’ brands need to be aware of the trust young people place in them, and ensure that they too act responsibly on social media.
A digitally animated case study video of the evidence presented in this chapter can be accessed from: https://epapers.bham.ac.uk/3059/
