Local Epidemiologist - Misinformation

How many Americans get health information from social media?

~50%

Why is misinformation risky on social media?

• rewards sensational content not accuracy

• falsehood spread 6x faster than truth

• bad actors fuel the landscape for profit

What are some way to help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• recognize top down info doesn’t work anymore

• meet people where they are

• tell more stories

• recognize trust isn’t declared - it’s demonstrated

• keep telling the truth

• don’t turn anger into shaming other

How can recognizing top down info doesn’t work anymore help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• institutional sources often confusing (guidelines)

  • not rapidly updating

  • not always trusted

• very few institutions understand this, with less acting on it

How can meeting epople where they are at help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• falsehoods and rumours often influence people because cannot find trustworthy evidence-based information

  • especially that is accessible, empathetic, easy to understand and timely

How can telling more stories help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• there is not a shortage of information, don’t need more facts and charts

• people remember how you made them feel more than what you said

• make a guide, not a lecture

  • explain complex topics in a way that makes sense

• straight answers

  • if there is uncertainty, be upfront about it

• empathy

  • health decisions are not only about science

How can demonstrating trust help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• trust is demonstrates but also requires humility

• leaders/institutions/scientists know a lot but not everything

• learn from communities

How does continuously telling the truth help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• when false information gets loud and is repeated over and over, brains want to start to accept it

  • so, stick with the data no matter what (even if CDC website changes)

• where confusion is a tool, clarity is the antidote

How can ensuring anger isn’t turned into shame help with the misinformation threat on social media?

• calling someone an idiot for believing false things will only backfire

  • vent privately, then keep speaking what’s true and clearly and with kindness

• rants get views but it’s easy to confuse virality with effectiveness

What can we keep an eye out when thinking about misinformation?

• new research publications

• normalization of false narratives

• virtue signaling