A recent study by Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Michigan State University has revealed a concerning lack of credible and reliable information about stuttering on Instagram. The study, which analysed 74 Instagram posts tagged with #Stuttering, found that misinformation and harmful stigmas are being perpetuated on the platform, with posts often using stuttering as a comic device.

The posts analysed were made by a diverse group, including speech pathologists, individuals who stutter, a speech pathologist who stutters, a parent of a child who stutters, and news agencies or unknown accounts. The study grouped these posts into themes, with 'positive meaning around people who stutter' emerging as one of the most prevalent.

Interestingly, the study found that posts by news agencies garnered the highest engagement, while posts by individuals who stutter or speech pathologists had significantly lower engagement. This raises questions about the role of media in shaping public perception and understanding of stuttering.

Alarmingly, none of the analysed posts were published by recognised and reliable stuttering-related organisations. This gap in authoritative information could contribute to the spread of harmful misinformation and stigmas around stuttering.

Dr Hamid Karimi, a CDU Lecturer and Speech pathologist who co-authored the study, suggests that reputable organisations should utilise Instagram to spread public awareness about stuttering. He said, "Promoting posts about stuttering on Instagram and other social media platforms, especially on key occasions such as International Stuttering Awareness Day, could be a highly effective strategy."

The findings of this study were published in the Journal of Fluency Disorders.