J.D. Haltigan, PhD, a developmental psychologist and research scientist, has drawn attention to what he describes as an "absolute crisis of social contagion among young women," citing observations of an unusual prevalence of female students using canes. In a recent social media post, Dr. Haltigan referenced an account by author Freddie DeBoer, stating, "Yes. Here is another variant chronicled by Freddie DeBoer. Female students with canes. This is an absolute crisis of social contagion among young women. I can't emphasize this enough.
DeBoer's original observation, shared on his Substack, detailed a lecturer's report of nine out of thirty-eight female students in a large university section carrying canes, many of which were "carefully decorated." The lecturer noted that several of these students had not used canes in previous semesters, leading to questions about the sudden and widespread adoption of assistive devices among otherwise healthy young women. DeBoer has frequently explored the concept of social contagion in the context of online communities and the rapid spread of certain behaviors or self-diagnosed conditions.
The phenomenon aligns with broader concerns among medical and psychological professionals regarding the influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, on adolescent mental health. Research indicates that highly visual social media can act as a vector for "psychosomatic social contagion," where symptoms or behaviors observed online can rapidly spread among susceptible individuals, often young women. This can lead to the manifestation of functional neurological symptoms or the adoption of specific identities seen on social platforms.
Dr. Haltigan, whose research includes the paper "Social media as an incubator of personality and behavioral psychopathology: Symptom and disorder authenticity or psychosomatic social contagion?", specializes in developmental and evolutionary psychopathology with a strong emphasis on measurement science. His expertise underscores the serious nature of his concern, suggesting that the observed increase in cane use may be a manifestation of a behavioral trend influenced by online communities rather than solely organic medical conditions.
Experts warn that while social media offers avenues for connection, its algorithmic nature can create "echo chambers" that reinforce beliefs and behaviors, potentially glamorizing or misrepresenting mental health conditions. The rapid dissemination of content can lead to the adoption of symptoms or self-diagnoses, particularly among adolescents and young adults who are highly engaged with these platforms. The situation highlights an ongoing debate about the authenticity of self-reported conditions influenced by online trends versus genuine medical diagnoses.