Assessing the Influence of a TikTok Aging Filter on Young Adults’ Intentions to Use Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention
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Background
Skin cancer is among the most common cancers globally. With the rise of social media, platforms like TikTok are emerging as potential tools in public health. This study explored whether a TikTok aging filter could increase sunscreen use intentions.
Methods
Participants (N=230) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (N=114), exposed to the TikTok aging filter and an educational video about ultraviolet radiation, or the control group (N=116), exposed only to the ultraviolet radiation video. A generalized linear mixed effects model was used to assess the relationship between group assignment, demographic variables, and attitudes toward sunscreen use.
Results
The median participant age was 22 years; 56% were female, 56% were non-White, and 92% were non-Hispanic. Multivariable analyses showed significant increases in sunscreen use intentions in both groups (OR: 6.17, p<0.001), with the experimental group showing a greater increase (OR: 4.26, p<0.001). Awareness of sunscreen benefits (OR: 4.36, p < 0.001) and concern about aging from sun exposure (OR: 6.50, p < 0.001) also increased, with no significant differences between groups.
Conclusion
Interactive and user-tailored visualizations can more effectively enhance sunscreen use intentions than video formats alone.
