BMJ Glob Health May 2020 PMID 32409327

YouTube as a source of information on COVID-19: a pandemic of misinformation?

Heidi Oi-Yee Li, Adrian Bailey, David Huynh, James Chan

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Mentions

252

Peak: 8 in May 2020

across 7 sources since May 2020

Extended reach

909,290

potential audience

Total likes

23,177

Video views

812,397

Mentions per month

May 2020 – Oct 2021

Where it's discussed

News210 articles
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Blogs14 articles
Facebook5 posts
YouTube2 videos
Reddit2 posts
Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions reflect an agreement that around 25-27% of the content on YouTube about COVID-19 is misinformation, using phrases like 'a significant portion' and 'false information' to emphasize the concern. The tone is serious yet straightforward, with users referencing specific studies and data, which shows moderate engagement and a shared awareness of the article's relevance. Words like 'disinformation' and 'misleading' reinforce the importance of accurate information emerging from the publication.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the issue of misinformation on YouTube, agreeing that a significant portion of popular videos contain inaccuracies.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, citing studies and specific data about misinformation, but without deep dives into potential solutions.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments reference research findings and personal observations, indicating some level of thoughtful engagement, though not highly detailed.

ImpactModerate impact

The emphasis on the prevalence of misinformation demonstrates recognition of the publication's importance in highlighting a critical public health issue.

Abstract in brief

Most viewed YouTube videos about COVID-19 contain both factual and misleading information, with government and professional sources providing more accurate content.
A significant portion of the popular videos (about 27) included misinformation, affecting millions of viewers globally.
The study highlights the importance of reliable, official health information on social media platforms like YouTube to combat the spread of misinformation during the pandemic.

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