ABSTRACT

This chapter introduces, illustrates, and analyses the finding that ‘likes’ act as a form of endorsement and/or affirmation on the health-related information young people access and use on social media. ‘Likes’ mobilise health-related information and have a powerful influence on young people’s health-related knowledge and behaviours. This chapter argues that adults need to better understand the complex ways in which health-related content is mobilised on social media in order to be able to offer support that will be effective. Social media surgeries are key spaces where adults and young people can learn about responsible social media use.

A digitally animated case study video of the evidence presented in this chapter can be accessed from: https://epapers.bham.ac.uk/3060/