Navigating TikTok Herpes Advice: Ethical Considerations and Credibility Issues
Scammers in Sex Ed Part 2: Why You Shouldn’t Take Advice from Every TikToker Who Talks About Herpes. This lesson offers a glimpse into the world of TikTok herpes "internet fame."
While TikTok has advantages in sharing one’s experiences with herpes to normalize and alleviate stigma, the downsides include the lack of credibility, blindness to privilege, lack of citations, and time limits. It’s hard to fact check, and, let’s be honest, it’s not convenient on an app like TikTok. It’s easier to keep scrolling. Truth is rarely found in convenience.
However, there are ethical responsibilities in going viral and having a large social media following, and I continue to witness that ego often supersedes ethical responsibility across numerous platforms. The likes, follows, and notes of validation, especially in this community, can fill anyone with purpose. But where do we draw the line, and is there one?
CW: nondisclosure; For clarity, I have posted about actions to take if you fail to disclose your herpes status in the past—none of which include lying or “playing dumb.” I do not condone or support anyone who promotes nondisclosure or lack of communication with partners—and therein lies my point.
Sex education is about communication and empowering students with the tools to do so. Not giving them permission to lie. Pickering Fitness operates under an assumption that his health degree and herpes status (also public) qualifies him as an expert on herpes and sexual health.
While I appreciate another voice working to break the stigma, I have to draw the line here. His TikToks are irresponsible for someone with nearly 100,000 followers—and, unfortunately, what I share in this video is only the tip of the iceberg.
I make my opinions and ethics around herpes coaches clear, but my goal here is to empower you to make the best decisions for yourself with the information that is available to you.