This toolkit is designed to help you understand health misinformation. It includes simple guides to help you:
- Understand how to use AI tools more safely.
- Search for trusted health information online.
- Spot false health information.
- Find trusted health information on social media.
What is misinformation?
Health information helps us to stay well. False health information can be dangerous. There are different types of false health information:
- Misinformation – False or misleading information shared by someone because they believe it.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) – Answers to health questions generated by artificial intelligence (AI) can include misinformation and disinformation.
- Disinformation – False information spread to mislead you on purpose.
How can I find trusted health information?
- Check who produced the information. Look for information from organisations like the NHS, large charities and companies with a good reputation.
- Is it trying to sell you something? 8 in 10 “cancer cures” on TikTok are fake. Avoid fakes. Only buy prescription medications like weight loss drugs from a registered pharmacy.
- Look for a publication date. Medical advice changes as research advances so make sure your information is up to date.
- Do not trust posts just because a social media channel has lots of likes and followers. Who sent you the link? Just because a friend has shared something does not mean it is true. Do not believe everything you hear or see.
- Check for the PIF TICK trust mark. It lets you know information is based on research evidence, up-to-date and easy to use and understand. You can use our list of Trusted Information Creators.
- If you are unsure, always check with a health professional.
Tips to search smarter online
Help stop the spread of false information. Before you share something you’ve read, watched or listened to, ask yourself: is it reliable? Here are top tips for searching smarter online:
- Go directly to NHS or PIF TICK certified sources.
- Don’t rely on AI alone. Do your own searches and scroll down to the full results.
- Add “-AI” to your search to remove AI overviews.
- Add “UK” to your search.
- Check what you have found with your healthcare team.
Trusted health information guides
Below are links to our free guides to help you find trusted health information. You can also download all the posters using the button at the bottom of this page.