Young Adults Turn to Online Strangers for Health Advice

For young adults, memorable health advice is increasingly coming from strangers online. The trend reflects a shift in how this demographic seeks health information, moving beyond traditional sources to digital platforms where unfamiliar voices can shape perceptions and decisions.

Emily Pfender, an assistant professor in the department of communications at the University of Delaware, is a researcher on a new study in Health Communication. She explains the focus of the research: the ways in which young adults receive and process health advice from online strangers.

Emily Pfender, an assistant professor in the department of communications at the University of Delaware, is a researcher on a new study in Health Communication.