Abstract The consumption and sharing of information on social media contribute to the circulation of false health content. In this sense, popular belief-driven posts recommending the use of amber necklaces to prevent symptoms of teething can be easily found on social media, even when they offer health risks for children. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize posts in Portuguese by identifying message-based factors associated with higher user interactions of Facebook. A total of 500 Facebook posts published in Portuguese between August 2016 and August 2021 were retrieved by CrowdTangle, and analyzed quantitatively according to time of publication, total user interaction, and post overperforming score, and then qualitatively by two independent investigators, according to motivation, authors’ profiles, and sentiment. The data were evaluated by descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression models regarding interaction metrics. The posts were published predominantly by commercial profiles, with social, psychological, and financial motivations, and expressed positive sentiment. Furthermore, time of publication (OR=2.65), regular user profiles (OR=3.30), and neutral/negative sentiment (OR=2.76) were associated positively with total interactions, whereas only time of publication was associated with post overperforming scores (OR=1.65). In conclusion, Facebook posts promoting efficacy of amber necklaces in managing teething symptoms are primarily created by commercial profiles with vested interests in marketing the product. The key factors that contribute to the success of posts containing false information about amber necklaces on Facebook can be identified by considering the author’s profile, sentiment, and time of publication. content sense beliefdriven belief driven children Accordingly messagebased message based 50 201 202 CrowdTangle score investigators motivation authors analysis MannWhitney Mann Whitney test chisquare chi square metrics psychological motivations Furthermore OR=2.65, OR265 OR OR=2.65 , 2 65 (OR=2.65) OR=3.30, OR330 OR=3.30 3 30 (OR=3.30) neutralnegative neutral negative OR=2.76 OR276 76 (OR=2.76 OR=1.65. OR165 OR=1.65 . 1 (OR=1.65) conclusion product author s profile 5 20 OR26 OR=2.6 6 (OR=2.65 OR33 OR=3.3 (OR=3.30 OR=2.7 OR27 7 (OR=2.7 OR16 OR=1.6 (OR=1.65 OR2 OR=2. (OR=2.6 OR3 OR=3. (OR=3.3 (OR=2. OR1 OR=1. (OR=1.6 OR=2 OR=3 (OR=3. (OR=2 OR=1 (OR=1. OR= (OR=3 (OR= (OR=1 (OR

Abstract In the era of ultra-connectivity, the proliferation of speculative notions driven by personal emotions eclipses the credibility of scientific evidence. This trend has led to an alarming surge in information pollution, particularly by the pervasive influence of social media platforms. Consequently, this overflow of falsehoods poses a significant threat to public health and overall societal well-being. In this sense, this critical review aims to present the harmful impacts of the health information pollution on society, health professionals, and health science, as well as strategies for their mitigation. The management of information pollution requires coordinated efforts to develop and implement multiple effective preventive and debunking strategies, such as the regulation of big tech companies’ actions and algorithm data transparency, the education of health professionals on responsible social media use, and the establishment of a novel academic culture, shifting from the valorization of productivism to socially relevant scientific production. By acknowledging the complexities of this contemporary issue and drawing insights from distinct perspectives, it is possible to safeguard the integrity of information dissemination and foster a more informed and resilient community. ultraconnectivity, ultraconnectivity ultra connectivity, connectivity ultra-connectivity evidence platforms Consequently wellbeing. wellbeing being. being well-being sense society science mitigation companies transparency use culture production perspectives community

Abstract The Internet is a growing source of knowledge and can provide information about oral health. This ecological study aimed to characterize the interests in toothpaste among Google users from different countries. Our hypothesis was that there would be an increase in Google users’ interest in information about toothpaste. This retrospective longitudinal ecological study analyzed the toothpaste-related interest of Google users from 10 countries between January 2004 and December 2020. The monthly variation in relative search volume (RSV) and the main related queries were determined using Google Trends. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) forecasting models were built to establish the predictive RSV values for toothpaste for an additional 12 months. Autocorrelation plots and the generalized additive model (GAM) were used to diagnose trends and seasonality in RSV curves. Additionally, the influence of social isolation related to the outbreak of COVID-19 was analyzed. Although not detected by autocorrelation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) analyses, the heuristic analysis showed an increase in the interest in toothpaste-related information in all countries, with a stable trend observed in the 12-month forecasts, except for the increases in the United Kingdom and South Africa. Also, GAM analyses demonstrated a non-significant monthly or quarterly seasonal influence on data. In addition, social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic did not influence the online information-seeking behavior of Google Search users linked to this topic. We confirmed the hypothesis that the interest of Google Search users in information about toothpaste increased in all of the 10 assessed countries. health toothpasterelated 1 200 2020 (RSV Trends ARIMA (ARIMA months (GAM curves Additionally COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 ACF (ACF PACF (PACF 12month month forecasts Africa Also nonsignificant non significant data addition informationseeking seeking topic 20 202 COVID1 COVID- 2

Abstract Considering the unfavorable implications of health falsehoods and the lack of dental research into information disorder, this study aimed to identify and characterize online oral health misinformation. A total of 410 websites published in English were retrieved using Google Advanced Search and screened by two independent investigators to compile falsehoods through thematic content analysis. Afterward, 318 pieces of misinformation were consensually divided into four groups concerning their informational interest (G1), financial, psychological, and social interests produced/disseminated by non-dental professionals (G2) or by dental professionals (G3), and political interests (G4). Social media (Facebook and Instagram) and fact-checking tool (Snopes) were also screened to determine the spread of falsehoods by identifying corresponding posts and warnings. As a result, misinformation was mainly associated with gum diseases (12.0%), root canal treatment (11.6%), toothache (10.4%), fluoride (10.4%), and dental caries (9.8%), with a special highlight on recommendations for the usage of natural products, toxicity concerns, and anti-fluoridation propaganda. Additionally, most misinformation was allocated in G3 (41.9%), which presented a statistically higher frequency of financial interests than G4. Finally, falsehoods were considerably identified on Facebook (62.9%) and Instagram (49.4%), especially G3 and G4. Nevertheless, Snopes has debunked only 5.9% of these content items. Therefore, misinformation was predominantly produced or disseminated by dental professionals mainly motivated by financial interests and usually linked to alternative/natural treatments. Although these items were shared on social media, fact-checking agencies seemed to have limited knowledge about their dissemination. disorder 41 analysis Afterward 31 G1, G1 G , (G1) psychological produceddisseminated nondental non G2 (G2 G3, (G3) G4 . (G4) factchecking fact checking (Snopes warnings result 12.0%, 120 12.0% 12 0 (12.0%) 11.6%, 116 11.6% 11 6 (11.6%) 10.4%, 104 10.4% 10 4 (10.4%) 9.8%, 98 9.8% 9 8 (9.8%) products concerns antifluoridation anti fluoridation propaganda Additionally 41.9%, 419 41.9% (41.9%) Finally 62.9% 629 62 (62.9% 49.4%, 494 49.4% 49 (49.4%) Nevertheless 59 5 5.9 Therefore alternativenatural alternative treatments dissemination 3 (G1 (G (G3 (G4 12.0 1 (12.0% 11.6 (11.6% 10.4 (10.4% 9.8 (9.8% 41.9 (41.9% 62.9 (62.9 49.4 (49.4% 5. 12. (12.0 11. (11.6 10. (10.4 9. (9.8 41. (41.9 62. (62. 49. (49.4 (12. (11. (10. (9. (41. (62 (49. (12 (11 (10 (9 (41 (6 (49 (1 ( (4