Researchers in Rio de Janeiro wanted to help teenagers become better at understanding and finding trustworthy health information. They worked with students aged 14-19 in two public schools to figure out what health topics confused them most, then created Instagram and TikTok content together with the students to teach them about mental health, relationships, nutrition, and other important topics. By letting teenagers help create the content and using language they actually use, the researchers found that students paid more attention and actually learned the information better. This shows that when young people have a say in how they learn about health, they’re more likely to care about it.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to teach teenagers to understand health information better and what topics they’re confused about when it comes to health
  • Who participated: Students aged 14 to 19 years old from two public schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The exact number of students wasn’t specified in the study
  • Key finding: When researchers asked teenagers what health topics confused them and then created social media content together with the students, the teens were much more interested in learning and actually understood the information better
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teenager, you’re more likely to learn about health when you help create the content and when it’s shared on apps you already use like Instagram and TikTok. If you’re a parent or teacher, this suggests letting young people have a voice in health education really works

The Research Details

This was a qualitative action research study, which means the researchers weren’t just watching from the sidelines—they actively worked with the teenagers to solve a problem together. Between May and November 2024, researchers met with students aged 14-19 in two public schools in Rio de Janeiro. They used group activities like brainstorming sessions and discussion groups to ask students what health topics confused them or what they wanted to know more about.

After listening to what the students said, the researchers analyzed the information and then worked with the teenagers to create new content. They updated an Instagram profile and created a brand new TikTok channel, with the students helping decide what to post and how to explain health topics in a way that made sense to them. This wasn’t a situation where adults told teenagers what to learn—it was a partnership where young people had real input.

This approach matters because it recognizes that teenagers are the experts on what they need to learn and how they like to learn it. By actually listening to young people instead of just telling them what to know, the researchers could create health information that was actually useful and interesting to them. Using social media platforms that teenagers already spend time on makes the information easier to find and more likely to be shared with friends

This study used a participatory approach, meaning the teenagers weren’t just subjects being studied—they were active partners in creating solutions. The researchers used established qualitative research methods like discussion groups and brainstorming, which are good ways to understand what people think and need. However, the study doesn’t specify exactly how many students participated, which makes it harder to know how widely these findings might apply to other groups of teenagers

What the Results Show

The researchers found that teenagers had significant gaps in their understanding of several important health topics. The main areas where students struggled included mental health, relationships and gender identity, nutrition, drug and alcohol use, violence, bullying, and racism. Many students also didn’t know how to tell if health information they found online was actually true or trustworthy.

When the researchers worked with students to create new social media content, they made several important changes. They used simpler, more casual language that teenagers actually use when they talk to each other. They added new topics that students said they cared about. They also changed how they explained things, using stories, questions, and examples instead of just listing facts.

The result was that teenagers started paying much more attention to the content. More students liked, shared, and commented on the posts. Most importantly, students said they actually understood the information better and felt more confident about what they were learning. This shows that when young people help create health education, they’re more likely to engage with it and learn from it.

The study also found that using multiple platforms (Instagram and TikTok) was important because different students preferred different apps. The researchers discovered that teenagers wanted health information presented in entertaining ways, not just as boring facts. Students also appreciated when content addressed real issues they faced, like bullying and racism, not just basic health facts. The participatory approach—where students had a real voice—seemed to make teenagers feel like health information was relevant to their actual lives

This research builds on existing evidence that teenagers learn better when they’re involved in creating educational content rather than just receiving it passively. Previous studies have shown that health education is more effective when it uses language and platforms that young people already use. This study adds to that knowledge by showing specifically how to involve teenagers in creating social media health content and what topics matter most to them. It also confirms that critical thinking skills—knowing how to tell if information is trustworthy—is something many teenagers need help developing

The study doesn’t tell us exactly how many students participated, which makes it harder to know if these findings would apply to other groups of teenagers in different places. The study was done in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, so the results might be different in other countries or cultures. The researchers didn’t follow students for a long time after the intervention to see if the learning lasted. We also don’t know if teenagers who weren’t interested in health topics to begin with would have engaged more with this approach

The Bottom Line

Schools and health organizations should involve teenagers in creating health education content, especially for social media. Use simple, everyday language instead of medical terms. Focus on topics that teenagers actually care about, like mental health, relationships, and dealing with bullying. Share health information on platforms like Instagram and TikTok where teenagers already spend time. These recommendations are supported by the research findings, though more studies would help confirm how well this works in different settings. Confidence level: Moderate to High

Teenagers should care about this because it means health information can be presented in ways that actually make sense to them. Parents and teachers should care because it shows an effective way to help young people understand important health topics. School administrators and public health officials should care because this approach could improve how health education is delivered. Healthcare providers might want to use similar approaches when talking to teenage patients. People who don’t need to apply this: Young children (this is designed for ages 14-19) and adults looking for their own health information

Changes in how teenagers engage with health content can happen fairly quickly—within weeks of introducing new social media content, the researchers saw increased likes, shares, and comments. However, actual changes in health knowledge and behavior typically take longer. You might see teenagers sharing health information with friends within a few weeks, but real changes in how they make health decisions might take several months of consistent exposure to good information

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track which health topics you search for or learn about each week. Note which social media platforms you use most for health information. Rate how confident you feel about understanding health topics (scale of 1-10) weekly to see if it improves over time
  • Follow health education accounts on Instagram and TikTok that use simple language and cover topics you care about. When you see health information online, pause and ask yourself: Is this from a trustworthy source? Does it match what I’ve learned from other sources? Share helpful health information with friends and ask them what health topics they want to understand better
  • Check in monthly to see if you’re feeling more confident about understanding health topics. Notice if you’re making better decisions about your health based on information you’ve learned. Keep track of which types of health content (videos, infographics, stories) help you learn best so you can seek out more of that format

This research describes an educational intervention to improve how teenagers understand health information. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have specific health concerns, please talk to a doctor, nurse, or other qualified healthcare provider. The findings are based on a study in Brazil and may not apply exactly the same way in all countries or communities. Always verify health information from multiple trustworthy sources, including official health organizations and qualified healthcare professionals.