Evaluating Health Information

The internet is a major source of information about health, but just because the information is published online doesn’t mean that it’s reliable. Sometimes information online that looks trustworthy is based on opinions rather than facts, and sometimes the source is spreading misinformation or trying to sell you something. With so much information out there, how do you decide what to believe?

Question the source of the information

Who created this information?

• Is the author or organization listed?
• Is there “About Us” information on the website?
• Is the author or organization credible, such as a doctor, scientist, or health organization?
• Is there a way to contact the author?
• Are they trying to educate, or are they trying to sell you something?

Is the information accurate?

• Does the site credit sources such as textbooks, medical journals, government agencies, or other respectable websites?
• Do the sources actually support what the author is saying?
• Does the information match what you see on other trusted health sites?
• Is the information clearly organized, and is it free from spelling and grammatical errors?

Is the author biased?

• Is the author selling a product, diet, or supplement?
• Are there ads mixed-in with the health information?
• Does the information use exaggerated language (for example, “doctors don’t want you to know this!”)
• Does the information present all sides of a health issue, or just one opinion?

Is the information up to date?

• Is there a ‘last updated’ date?
• Does the information seem out-of-date compared to other sources?

How can I find reputable health information online?

Start with trusted sources. Look for websites from government agencies (cdc.gov, nih.gov), hospitals (childrenshospital.org, mayoclinic.org), and health organizations (plannedparenthood.org, kidshealth.org/teens).

Be careful with social media. Some health information on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram is good, and created by trustworthy sources (such as the CYWH Instagram!), but some social media posts can be misleading or even dangerous. Ask yourself:

• Is the creator a medical expert or just an influencer?
  • Do they have actual credentials (MD, DO, PhD, ScD, RD, PsyD, etc.) or are they just calling themselves an expert?
  • Are they citing real science, or are they just sharing their personal opinion or experience?
  • Do they work for a trusted health organization, or are they self-promoting?
• Are they promoting a product or treatments?
  • Are they selling supplements, detox teas, miracle cures, or expensive wellness programs?
  • Are they using a discount code or affiliate links, which means they’re making money from their recommendation?
  • Do they make big promises (“lose 10 pounds in a week,” “cure acne forever”)? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Are they using fear tactics to get attention?
  • Do they say things like “doctors won’t tell you this?”
  • Are they pushing extreme advice, like taking high doses of a supplement or ignoring medical professionals?

Double-check information from multiple sources. Don’t rely on just one source of information—compare information from multiple reliable sites to see if experts agree. If multiple trustworthy sites say the same thing, the information is more likely to be true.

Use websites aimed at patients. It is important that you read health information created for patients, instead of information created for doctors and nurses, which can be more technical and difficult to understand. Instead, look for patient-friendly websites that explain things clearly and in plain language.

Wikipedia shouldn’t be your first choice. Wikipedia usually appears  on the first page of search results, and while it is good for a quick review and to find links to other sources, do not rely on it as a primary source of health information.

There is more than Google. Instead of turning to Google to search for your health concerns, start by searching MedlinePlus, which is a health website offered by the National Library of Medicine (the world’s largest medical library). MedlinePlus is like a search engine that only searches through accurate health information. All of the results have been reviewed to make sure that only up-to-date, reliable websites are included.

Let go of your cyberchondria. If you find that you are constantly googling about a health issue and it’s making you anxious, take a step back. Talk with a trusted adult or make an appointment with a healthcare provider. It can be easy to diagnose yourself based on what you read online, but it is not a substitute for professional advice.

When in doubt: Ask a trusted expert. If you’re not sure whether a website or social media post is reliable, ask someone with real expertise:

• A doctor, nurse, or school nurse
• A therapist, nutritionist, or dentist
• A librarian—They can help you find reliable health information

Resources

Trust or Trash It?
Evaluating Health Information

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Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.