CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin What else is there to talk about? Social media goes a long way toward keep us all connected, which proved itself especially valuable as COVID-19 brought physical distancing into the common vocabulary. So, while social media, along with a host of other tech tools, shared useful information and kept us in touch when we couldn’t be within 2m of each other, it also showed its downside as an echo chamber for bad information and misinformation. We need to be careful of the kind of information which we accept as true at the best of times. With Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and any number of other social connection apps acting as sources of information in this digital age, it’s important to know where to turn for a source of truth. The truth is that while efforts are being made, social media relies on algorithms, rather than on any sort of editorial sense to put information in front of people. If everyone is sharing the latest viral video which suggests that a hairdryer can kill COVID-19, or that chloroquine is a miracle cure, or to microdose Clorox or whatever, that misinformation is going to find its way to your feed. The more people share, the more people see and the sharing continues, the more weight the information seems to have. If I sound anti-social media, I’m not… but I’m definitely pro-checking your sources. Also, pro tip: if the information source which you’re seeing suggests that you “just go Google it” or “search on YouTube to find the real truth…” well, let’s just say that information source should be taken with a grain of salt. Or a shaker full. So, how do we know if the information which we’re seeing or thinking about sharing is true? Check your sources Social media, most specifically but certainly not only Facebook, is full of official-sounding news sources. Check the source. Closer. The cost to register an official-sounding domain and spin up an official-looking website is minimal. Look at the footer of the website in question for affiliations, editorial statements, about us information and so on. It’s far from iron-clad, but reputable sources will proudly display information that adds to their credibility. Less reputable sources will hope that you’re not looking too closely. Or that you’ll just hit “share” and keep on scrolling. Search on Snopes.com For almost as long as there’s been an Internet, it has been ill-used to spread rumours and start hoaxes. Some are basically dumb pranks (copy and paste this text or Facebook can steal your information; e-mail this and Bill Gates will send you $10). Some, especially in the time of the novel coronavirus, are potentially dangerous. Not only can you fact check the claims in a given viral video (try searching “can a hairdryer cure coronavirus”), but doing this also hones your social media BS detector. Share from trusted sources As mentioned, social media doesn’t prioritize things because they’re true or because they’re untrue. It only really cares about what people react to. Think before you share; only share things that pass the smell test. Choose to share from reputable sources, rather than sensationalistic ones. More on some trustworthy COVID-19 sources in a minute. Watch for clickbait Clickbait is content whose main purpose is to get you to engage (click). Clickbait only cares about catching our attention and confusing or enticing us long enough to compel a clickthrough. The formula is pretty simple; create a sensational headline that evokes an emotion or sparks curiosity, share it, stoke the flame and let social media do the rest. The best vaccine against clickbait is probably clicking through on a few clickbait links and realizing how little of value they generally have to offer... Spend wisely In the digital economy, attention is currency. Be selective where you spend yours and know that our choices, individually and collectively, are what shape the opaque algorithms that decide which content and information bubbles up. While public hysteria is nothing new, social is perhaps the most hospitable media in which it can grow. Things such as the Great Toilet Paper Panic are basically self-fulfilling prophecies; there are reports of a shortage of toilet paper. That leads to sharing stories and panic buying… which leads to a real shortage of toilet paper… which leads to more sharing, more panic buying, more shortages. 54 | www.snowbirds.org
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