From Scrolling to Sharing: Digital Health Literacy and Health Information Behaviors on Social Media in the General Population

Social media platforms have become major sources of health information, creating opportunities for access, engagement, and patient empowerment while also raising concerns about misinformation and the erosion of professional authority. Despite growing research, evidence remains fragmented, with few studies simultaneously examining platform-specific use, sociodemographic differences, and the role of digital health literacy in shaping how individuals verify and share health information. This study aimed to investigate patterns of social media use for health information in the general population and to assess the role of sociodemographic factors and digital health literacy in predicting verification and sharing behaviors. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1307 adults. The questionnaire included sociodemographic variables, items on social media use for health purposes, and an adapted eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Instagram (48.1%) and WhatsApp (46.6%) were the most frequently used platforms for health information, followed by YouTube (31.8%) and TikTok (25.7%), with clear generational differences. The median eHEALS score was 24 (IQR 17–29), with higher scores among younger and university-educated participants and among Facebook and Instagram users. Fact-checking was reported by 72.3% of respondents; 52.8% had shared health information, and 44.5% limited sharing to verified content. Digital health literacy consistently predicted verification and sharing behaviors, while older adults, despite lower literacy scores, were more likely to share verified information. These findings highlight both risks and opportunities in online health communication and support the development of platform-sensitive and literacy-oriented communication strategies.