Variation in Twitter posts referencing pediatric sleep aids

Over 50% of parents who use social media seek parenting advice, however little is known about social media discussions surrounding child sleep aid use. The current study investigated Twitter posts about the use of pediatric sleep aids (melatonin, cannabidiol, weighted blankets, and essential oils), including post frequency, user characteristics, and content. In addition, variation in tweets before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was examined.

Twitter was searched over a 25-month period using TweetDeck. Tweets were coded for user characteristics (eg, affiliations, gender) and content (eg, tone, states sleep or health outcomes, reference to a neurodevelopmental condition).

Of the 2754 tweets analyzed, melatonin was referenced most often (60%), followed by essential oils (23%), weighted blankets (14%), and cannabidiol (3%). Most were published by individual users (77%) and were positive (51%) in tone. About 1-third of tweets noted positive sleep or health effects of the sleep aid and only 7% referenced a neurodevelopmental condition. Tweets about pediatric sleep aids increased during the pandemic, primarily those posts about melatonin.

Melatonin is the most commonly discussed sleep aid on Twitter, followed by essential oils. Tweets are primarily positive. The number of tweets about sleep aids, specifically melatonin, has increased with time, with significantly more tweets after the start of the pandemic. Clinicians should consider using this outlet to provide empirically-based information regarding the efficacy and benefits or risks of sleep aid use in children.