Social media is making our lives easier. However, nowadays, it is also posing a serious public health threat: fake medicine. s to the senior citizen age group, specifically those aged 50 and above. Their usage rate is very low.
In this AI-driven world, senior citizens often struggle to understand digital content easily. As a result, fraudsters take advantage of it. In many cases, scammers highlight disease names that are very common in this age group, such as diabetes, high or low blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis and back pain etc. They create videos featuring the faces of famous doctors or use manipulated video clips, which help establish credibility in the minds of elderly viewers. And unfortunately, many of them fall into this trap.
Additionally, some pages now use new marketing strategies. They sell products using the label of natural or herbal. Whenever people hear terms like 'natural' or 'herbal', it automatically creates a sense of trust and attraction in their minds, making them more likely to purchase these products. Later, these adulterated or fake medicines can cause serious health complications, leading to long-term suffering.
This issue does not affect only senior citizens who directly use social media. People (50 years old or older or senior citizens) who do not use social media can also become victims through the influence of others. This is especially common in rural or village areas, where people may not fully understand AI-generated videos or digital manipulation and tend to believe such content easily. Often, misinformation spreads through word of mouth, making the problem even more severe in these regions.
Fake medicine promoted through social media is no longer just a digital issue it has become a public health concern. Without proper awareness, regulation, and digital literacy, especially for senior citizens and rural communities, this silent threat will continue to harm lives.
Mishutu Barua Punna
Undergraduate student
DESM, North South University
mishutu.barua@northsouth.edu
