Bad Influence

"So uplifting and powerful - so, so good." Cathy Cassidy "Brave, honest, and heart-breakingly funny." Ben Miller "A beautiful, relevant story of courage, strength, and not letting other people decide who you are." Kate Weston Amelia Bright wants to be the best at everything. But when it comes to popularity, she is dead last. No matter what she tries, she can't shake her reputation as a maggoty nobody. When she meets cute new boy Evan, Amelia wonders if he can help her lose her loser status. And in a moment of hope, she agrees to something she quickly regrets - something that goes viral at school. Now she's not just called "maggot", she's a "bad influence" - and worse. But Amelia's determined not to let one mistake define her...she's so much more than the image everyone sees online. A powerfully real and funny new story from the rising queen of teen , about first kisses, learning to be true to yourself and how one click can last for ever...

"So uplifting and powerful - so, so good." Cathy Cassidy "Brave, honest, and heart-breakingly funny." Ben Miller "A beautiful, relevant story of courage, strength, and not letting other people decide who you are." Kate Weston Amelia Bright wants to be the best at everything. But when it comes to popularity, she is dead last. No matter what she tries, she can't shake her reputation as a maggoty nobody. When she meets cute new boy Evan, Amelia wonders if he can help her lose her loser status. And in a moment of hope, she agrees to something she quickly regrets - something that goes viral at school. Now she's not just called "maggot", she's a "bad influence" - and worse. But Amelia's determined not to let one mistake define her...she's so much more than the image everyone sees online. A powerfully real and funny new story from the rising queen of teen , about first kisses, learning to be true to yourself and how one click can last for ever...

You used to see a doctor. Now you go online. SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 'Your definitive guide to separating medical facts from online fiction.' Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt 'This superb book is an essential guide to the wild world of internet health.' Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People Need to focus? Want to lose weight? Build muscle? Get pregnant? Advice is just a click away. With long waits for treatment and fewer face‑to‑face GP appointments, influencers have stepped into the breach. From doctors promoting untested therapies to celebrities selling solutions, these self-styled experts radiate wellness and guarantee results. Exploring the transformation of a healthcare system driven by online trends, Dr Deborah Cohen reveals the truth behind Ozempic influencers, AI-powered diagnoses, ‘preventative’ screening and Instagram’s favourite wearable tech. Bad Influence is about the commodification of health in an age of anxiety and why we can no longer distinguish medicine from marketing. 'In a world where online medical opinions are fast and often dodgy, this is the perfect antidote.' Prof. Kevin Fong

You used to see a doctor. Now you go online. SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 'Your definitive guide to separating medical facts from online fiction.' Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt 'This superb book is an essential guide to the wild world of internet health.' Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People Need to focus? Want to lose weight? Build muscle? Get pregnant? Advice is just a click away. With long waits for treatment and fewer face‑to‑face GP appointments, influencers have stepped into the breach. From doctors promoting untested therapies to celebrities selling solutions, these self-styled experts radiate wellness and guarantee results. Exploring the transformation of a healthcare system driven by online trends, Dr Deborah Cohen reveals the truth behind Ozempic influencers, AI-powered diagnoses, ‘preventative’ screening and Instagram’s favourite wearable tech. Bad Influence is about the commodification of health in an age of anxiety and why we can no longer distinguish medicine from marketing. 'In a world where online medical opinions are fast and often dodgy, this is the perfect antidote.' Prof. Kevin Fong