F4. IGNITE: Influences on Health Choices: Vaccines, AI, and Education
F4.03 - IGNITE: TikTok Teachings: Identifying Contributors in Sexual Assault Education
Thursday, April 17, 2025
3:14 PM – 3:21 PM PST
Location: Mediterranean I/II, 3rd Floor
Earn 1.0 Advanced CECH
Area of Responsibility: Area VI: Communication Subcompetencies: 6.5.4 Use current and emerging communication tools and trends (e.g., social media)., 6.5.6 Use digital media to engage audience(s) (e.g., social media management tools and platforms).
Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant/Graduate Student University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Analyze the educational content related to sexual assault (SA) and sexual harassment (SH) on TikTok, identifying key contributors and the types of information shared regarding reporting and survivor support.
Assess the potential role of public health professionals in improving the accuracy and credibility of SA/SH educational content on TikTok, particularly through increased engagement by Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES).
Evaluate the potential risks of misinformation being disseminated by individual TikTok users.
Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how TikTok serves as a powerful platform for sharing educational content on sexual assault (SA) and sexual harassment (SH). Learn key findings from a content analysis of 643 videos using #sexualassaultawareness and #sexualharassmentawareness, revealing that 240 videos focused on educating viewers about SA/SH, including how to report incidents and access resources. Gain insight into the fact that the majority of this content is produced by individual users, while fewer contributions come from health and legal professionals, small businesses, or organizations. Recognize the potential for public health professionals, such as Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES), to enhance the accuracy and reach of educational efforts on TikTok. By engaging more actively, they can ensure that credible and evidence-based information about preventing and addressing SA/SH is widely accessible on this influential platform.
Detailed abstract description: Background TikTok is a popular social media site. Its millions of users each month make it one of the best sites for sharing educational content about sexual assault and sexual harassment. This study aimed to analyze the educational videos posted by various contributors on the site. Methods The TikTok scraping software Apify was used to gather videos using #sexualassaultawareness or #sexualharassmentawareness. Out of 1042 videos, videos that used duet or greenscreen features, were duplicates, not in English, or not available for public viewing were excluded. Using a grounded theory approach, three coders analyzed the TikTok content for themes related to coping and awareness, including education. Results Out of 643 videos, 240 included themes about education on sexual assault (SA) and sexual harassment (SH). Videos included information about what constitutes SA/SH, how to report, and where survivors can find help. Among these videos, 7 were posted by health and law professionals, 209 were posted by individuals, 12 were posted by small businesses, and 12 were posted by organizations. Conclusion TikTok offers a powerful tool for educating young people about preventing and mitigating SA/SH. It is crucial for public health organizations and professionals to recognize and utilize this platform, empowering them to extend the reach of their educational efforts to the general public. Low usage of TikTok by health professionals, such as those who hold CHES or MCHES certifications, leaves space for them to share accurate health information online and increase awareness and education.
