The role of social media influencers on health behaviors in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In the digital age, social media influencers (SMIs) have emerged as a significant force in altering public attitudes and behaviors, notably in the health sector. While SMIs can provide useful insights on crucial health issues such as diet and mental health, they also raise concerns about their varying levels of health competence and potential commercial biases. This dichotomy poses a challenge: can SMIs effectively contribute to better health outcomes, or do they risk encouraging harmful behavior? This letter investigates this dynamic by synthesizing findings from three cross-sectional studies undertaken in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of providing policymakers with actionable insights on how to improve public health while navigating the inherent risks.