Young influencers drive MAHA wellness movement among American teens

9 articles · Updated · Vox.com · Apr 28

Teen and young adult influencers like Lexi Vrachalus and Ava Noe, with tens of thousands of followers, are reaching Gen Z audiences on platforms such as Instagram.
Their content, focused on 'clean' eating and skepticism toward mainstream health advice, is raising concerns among educators and experts about increased susceptibility to health misinformation and conspiratorial thinking.
Polling shows teens are increasingly exposed to wellness-related conspiracy theories online, prompting calls for educators and science communicators to engage youth directly and teach critical evaluation of health claims.

Are social media influencers becoming the new, unregulated family doctors for America's youth?

Is Gen Z's 'clean eating' trend a health revolution or a gateway to medical misinformation?

Can playing video games actually 'prebunk' teens against falling for online health myths?

How can algorithms tell between wellness advice and dangerous health conspiracies on TikTok?

With AI now a health advisor for many, how do we ensure its advice is safe?

Could the distrust driving this movement also spark needed healthcare system reforms?