The Misuse of Social Media and the Propagation of Incorrect Information about Diabetes

In recent years, there has been an important milestone with the solidification of the Internet in society, a process that has enabled the development of new technologies that have altered the health education scenario [1]. But is social media reliable, and does it propagate correct information about Diabetes Mellitus (DM) among its users? The current literature shows that the Internet provides opportunities of communication, peer support among individuals with diabetes, their families, managers, healthcare providers, industry and the general public [2,3]. There are numerous advantages to the value of Internet use in health, including updates information on diabetes [4,5]. In this sense, diabetes organizations worldwide have explored the Internet as a health communication tool (e.g., International Diabetes Federation, American Diabetes Association, European Association for the Study of Diabetes and others). Further, these kinds of organizations usually use their own social media websites to increase the patient's empowerment about diabetes self-management. Although, in this editorial article we will not address such positive aspects, but some negative characteristics about the misuse of Internet in area of diabetes.