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This paper aims to explain and analyze the impact of health influencers on social media users in terms of health-related attitudes and reception of misinformation. Using a longitudinal experimental design conducted at two different time points, the study seeks to determine the extent to which a parasocial relationship can be developed between an influencer and a user within two weeks. The experiment's questionnaires are aimed at German-speaking individuals aged 16-30. Additionally, the research investigates whether individuals who have established a perceived parasocial relationship are more likely to accept an influencer's misinformation compared to those without a detectable parasocial relationship. The aim is also to raise participants' awareness about social media and influencer communication through a conscious debriefing session after completing the questionnaires. The study concludes with recommendations for future research on the topic.

The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of the existing research on social media influencers and their impact on adolescents’ health in order to identify the research gaps in that field. The goal is to discover main concepts, theories and applied methods as well as to collect classifications and definitions of the relevant terms. Furthermore, the review aims to identify the health topics and social media platforms addressed. A closer look and collection of the relevant aspects of social media influencers and adolescents in the context of health will provide relevant insights for further research and policies.