Examining the Creators of Sexual Assault Education Content on TikTok

PurposeYoung individuals are increasingly turning to platforms like TikTok for health-related information, driven by its popularity and widespread acceptance. This study aimed to investigate the key contributors behind sexual assault education on TikTok.DesignExploratory content analysis.SettingVideos tagged #sexualassaultawareness or #sexualharassmentawareness published via public accounts before February 2024 were collected from the platform using Apify.SubjectsAmong 1042 videos collected in our metadata, we examined 203 TikTok posts focused on sexual assault education to determine the types of creators behind the content.MeasuresEducational videos were categorized into non-professionals, small businesses, organizations, and professionals.Analysis100 random videos were coded to identify themes and categories, leading to the development of a codebook with distinct definitions and examples. Using Microsoft Excel, two independent reviewers coded the educational videos, and inter-rater reliability was tested using SPSS.Results203 (30.4%) were classified as educational content. 166 (81.8%) videos were posted by non-professionals/lay TikTok users, 12 (5.9%) by small businesses, 5 (2.5%) by organizations, and 22 (10.8%) by professionals, such as therapists.ConclusionsNone of the users who shared this information self-identified as health education professionals, such as those holding a health education certification. This presents an opportunity for health professionals to share science-based, timely health education online, thus meeting the needs of users seeking reliable information.