Scientific and Health Misinformation on Social Media and Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of Exposure, Perceptions, Behavioral Responses, and Health-Related Outcomes
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Abstract
Objective: To synthesize and critically appraise the available evidence regarding the exposure, circulation, interpretation, and impact of scientific and health-related misinformation disseminated through social media platforms among adolescents, with emphasis on psychosocial, behavioral, cognitive, educational, and health-related outcomes.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to May 10, 2026. Eligible studies evaluated adolescents exposed to scientific or health-related misinformation within social media or digital environments. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Due to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.
Results: Twenty-eight studies were included. Quantitative cross-sectional studies predominated, although mixed-methods, qualitative, and experimental investigations were also identified. Misinformation domains primarily included scientific, health-related, vaccine-related, and COVID-19-related misinformation. Exposure to misinformation was consistently associated with psychosocial distress, anxiety, fear, institutional distrust, misinformation susceptibility, vaccine hesitancy, maladaptive health behaviors, and reduced critical appraisal abilities. Adolescents frequently relied on socially mediated credibility heuristics rather than systematic verification strategies when evaluating online information. Digital literacy deficits, peer influence, algorithmic amplification, and emotionally valenced content emerged as recurrent mechanisms increasing vulnerability to misinformation. Educational and media literacy interventions demonstrated beneficial effects by improving critical evaluation competencies and misinformation resilience.
Conclusions: Scientific and health-related misinformation circulating through social media environments appears to exert multidimensional effects on adolescent development, particularly within psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive domains. Strengthening digital health literacy, critical thinking, and evidence-based educational interventions may represent essential strategies for reducing misinformation vulnerability and promoting healthier digital environments for adolescents.
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