Medical listening device on a cell phone

Health Communication

What role do digital media play in health-related behaviour? How can communication science contribute to improving health communication?

The “Health Communication” research group focuses on changes in health-related communication processes in the context of ongoing digital transformations. It examines health-related communication phenomena in digital environments—ranging from health and “sickfluencers” on social media, health apps, serious games, and games for health, to the use of AI-supported applications in healthcare settings.

The focus is on the effects of these developments on health-related communication processes. This includes, among other things, questions regarding the influence of these technologies on trust in health-related information, the attribution of medical expertise, the quality of the doctor-patient relationship, and health-related attitudes and behaviors—for example, with regard to processes of shared and informed decision-making.

In addition, the research group examines the health-related function of automated communication (e.g., chatbots) and the question of how this affects mental health—particularly among adolescents and young adults.

Head of the research group: Dr. Claudia Lampert

Overview

Leaders

Claudia Lampert

Team

Last update: 16.09.2026

Blog Articles, News, Projects, Publications, Podcast Episodes

Cover of the Book Chapter

Chapter in Cohesion Report

The Climate Discourse on Social Media

The Social Media Observatory (SMO) examined the dynamics of climate discourse on social media for the Research Institute Social Cohesion's (RISC) second cohesion report. The study found that climate scepticism and misinformation are common in social media debates. However, it is evident that these views are significantly less prevalent in wider society.

Gruppe Junger Menschen, die auf einem Netzwerkboden sitzen

DigiMeet 2025: Platform Governance and Power

What are the current developments in global platform governance? This question was explored at the Digitalisation Research and Network Meeting (DigiMeet), organized by the HBI, bidt, CAIS, and WI. Sixty doctoral and postdoctoral researchers took part in the virtual event on November 6 and presented their research.

The cover of the article "Fertility Preservation from the Patient's Perspective: Areas of Conflict and Information Needs in Social Media," published in the journal Die Onkologie

Article in the Journal Onkologie

Perspectives of Cancer Patients on Fertility Preservation Measures

Fertility preservation is a key challenge for cancer patients. A qualitative content analysis of social media posts offers insights into patient experiences and provides guidance for needs-based fertility counseling.

Illustration zweier Jugendlicher, die im Wohnzimmer gegenüber sitzend auf ihr Handy blicken

Study Findings ConKids Published

Children’s Media Biographies Are Becoming Increasingly Individualized

The media worlds of children and young people have changed significantly in recent years. While the first smartphone still plays a central role, the use of individual media and the order in which they are purchased or made available varies. These changes result in more diverse media ensembles and individualized media biographies for children.

Matthias C. Kettemann

Commission Starts Work

Expert Commission to Improve Protection for Prostitutes

Federal Minister Karin Prien has convened an independent expert commission on the protection of sex workers to improve their situation. Matthias C. Kettemann will advise the commission on online protection in sex work and the role of platforms.

Cover of the Working Paper

Working Paper Available for Download

Algorithmic Competence of Young People on TikTok

A new qualitative #UseTheNews study by the Leibniz Institute for Media Research examines what teenagers and young adults know about how TikTok's algorithmic recommendation system works.

Illustration: ein Jugendlicher im Handy-Bildschirm und T-Shirt mit Aufdruck "Algorithmus" legt seinen Arm um einen Jugendlichen vor dem Bildschirm

Study Findings Published

Young People on TikTok – Between Appreciation and Resistance

Young people often use TikTok as a news source, but are not always aware that they may be exposed to various forms of manipulation through the TikTok algorithm. A new qualitative #UseTheNews study by the HBI shows how teenagers and young adults use the platform and interact with the algorithm.

Mehrere bunte Sprechblasen in Blau, Orange, Rosa, Gelb, Weiß und Grün auf blauem Hintergrund.

Second Cohesion Report of RISC

The Climate Discourse on Social Media

Most Germans are willing to do more to protect the climate, but concerns about the social and economic consequences of climate policy are widespread. This is one of the findings of the second Cohesion Report published by the Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC). For this report, the Social Media Observatory examined the climate discourse on social media.

Matthias C. Kettemann

ORF Radio Program “Punkt eins”

Summit Meeting: Europe Aims to Become More Digitally Sovereign

Matthias C. Kettemann is a guest on the ORF radio program "Punkt Eins" to discuss Europe's struggle for self-determination in the digital world and explain what law and ethics can achieve with new technologies on the occasion of the summit on Europe's digital sovereignty.

Illu

Deutschlandfunk Podcast mediasres

Who Is Responsible for Extreme Right-Wing Content on TikTok?

TikTok launched its shopping feature in the first EU countries at the end of 2024. Since February 2025, it has been available in Germany, allowing users to purchase products directly through the app. For TikTok, the app's shopping feature means increased brand growth and revenue.However, monetizing content raises specific legal questions: Who is liable when illegal products are sold? Matthias C. Kettemann has the answer.

Cover of the publication

Open Access Publication

Information Systems and Troubled Democracy

Internet freedom has declined for 14 consecutive years. This publication examines how principles for regulating information ecosystems are being implemented, as well as the challenges faced by public institutions and other stakeholders in their efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.

Fotocollage für den am Alexander von Humboldt Institut im Projekt "Human in The Loop" entwickelten Verhaltenskodex.

Code of Conduct “Strengthening Trust” presented

New Code of Conduct for Human-Machine Decision-Making Processes in Content Moderation

Content moderation requires clear rules. The "Strengthening Trust" code of conduct, developed at HIIG under Matthias C. Kettemann's direction, uses ten guidelines to demonstrate how platforms can facilitate fairer and more transparent collaboration between humans and machines in content moderation. It is based on Kettemann's research at HBI.

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