"Total bunk." That was the first thought that crossed Timothy Caulfield's mind when he heard about the latest misinformation trend about sunscreen. Then the anger and frustration hit.
Social media influencers on TikTok and elsewhere have been spreading dangerous and inaccurate claims about sunscreen , alleging the chemicals in it are more harmful than exposure to the sun itself. Lacking evidence, says Caulfield, they say things like, "The sun doesn't cause cancer ; sunscreens do," or argue that a tan is all the protection you need against the sun's UV rays. "It's absurd nonsense," says Caulfield, adding that there is a broad, long-settled scientific consensus that sunscreens are safe and effective.
"Do you want to side with the scientific consensus or someone speculating on TikTok?" he says, pointing out that social media and other wellness influencers are only interested in attracting followers by promoting controversial views. Caulfield has been fighting misinformation for decades. In 2015 he released "The Science of Celebrity, or Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?" It's an influential critique of the hype around celebrity culture and the wellness industry.
Lately he has focused his attention on science misinformation online, including exaggerated claims about alternative cancer therapies. The recent attack against sunscreen on social media reflects a misguided philosophy that all things natural are good for your health and that synthetic products containing chemica.