7 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Superspreader of Misinformation

The problem of misinformation isn’t going away; in fact, it may be getting worse. Former President Donald Trump Assassination Attempt. Internet platforms such as Facebook and X Several steps have been taken to curb its spread. And they say they are working to do more. But none of the methods introduced yet have succeeded in completely removing all misleading content from social media. So the best defense is self-defense.

Information that is misleading or completely false (commonly referred to as “misinformation”) is spread by news media, political propaganda, or “Fake profound” Reports that seem meaningful but are not. Disinformation is a type of false information that is intentionally created to maliciously mislead people. Disinformation is intentionally shared even though it is known to be false, but incorrect information Shared by people who don’t know that it’s not trueEspecially since people often share links online. Without thinking.

Emerging psychology research has uncovered several strategies that can help protect our society from misinformation. Here are seven strategies you can use to avoid being misled and prevent yourself and others from spreading inaccurate information.

1. Educate yourself

The World Health Organization said,Infodemic” is to understand Techniques used by agents spreading misinformation They’re trying to manipulate you.

One strategy is “Pre-bunking” – a kind of exposure that happens before you hear the myths and lies. According to research, Become familiar with the techniques of the misinformation tradeI can help you Recognize a false story This will reduce your chances of falling for these tricks.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed an online game called “Bad newsTheir study found that: Improving players’ ability to identify false facts.

In addition to the game, you can also learn more about: The Internet and social media platforms workSo you can better understand the tools available to those who want to manipulate you. You can also learn more about: Scientific research and evidence standardsYou can help Less sensitive to lies and misleading statements It’s about health-related topics and scientific topics.

2. Recognize your vulnerabilities

While the pre-refutation approach works for everyone across the political spectrum, people who underestimate their biases are actually more likely to be misled than those who acknowledge their biases.

Studies show that people spend more Vulnerable to misinformation This is consistent with existing views. This is “Confirmation bias“Because people have a bias to believe information that confirms what they already believe.

The lesson is that you should be especially critical of information from groups or people you agree with or consider to be sympathetic to, whether politically, religiously, or on the basis of ethnicity or nationality. Remind yourself of the following: Find a different perspectiveAnd there are other sources that provide information on the same topic.

It is especially important to be honest with yourself. What are your biases. Many people think that other people are prejudiced, but They believe they are not– And imagine Other people are more likely to share misinformation.They are better than themselves.

3. Consider the source

There are many biases in the media. Media Bias Chart Describes what outlets are available. The most partisan and the least partisan And how trustworthy they are report the facts.

You can play an online game called “.FALSE“Find out how sensitive you are to the different ways news is presented online.

When consuming news, check the reliability of the source. Not trustworthy at all. Double-check the story with other sources that are less biased and more fact-based to learn who and what you can actually trust. What your intuition tells you.

Also be aware that there are some misinformation providers. Create a fake site Looks like a real news source – so you should know what site you are actually visiting. This level of engagement think about one’s own thoughts It has been shown to improve the ability to distinguish fact from fiction.

4. Stop for a moment

Most people, especially when they go on social media, do so for the following purposes: Entertainment, connection, or even distraction. Accuracy isn’t always high on the priority list. Yet Few people want to be liars.and The Cost of Sharing Misinformation It can be a high-level thing for individuals, their relationships, and society as a whole. Before you decide to share something, take a moment to remind yourself of the following: Value placed on truth and accuracy.

Asking yourself, “Is what I’m sharing true?” can help prevent the spread of misinformation and help you think about things like: Look beyond the title It’s a good idea to fact-check before sharing.

Even if you don’t think specifically about accuracy, Pause before sharingYour mind can give you a chance to catch up with your feelings. Ask yourself if you really want to share it. If so, whyThink about the potential consequences of sharing it.

Studies show that most misinformation is shared quickly. Without much thought. The impulse to share without thinking It could become even more powerful Rather than partisan sharing tendencies. Take your time. There is no need to rush. You Breaking News An organization that thousands of people rely on for instant information.

5. Recognize your emotions

People often share things because of gut reactions rather than the conclusions of critical thinking. Recent researchResearchers found that people who viewed their social media feeds with an emotional mindset They are much more likely to share misinformation. Than those who approached it with a more rational mindset.

Anger and anxietyIn particular, it makes people susceptible to misinformation.

6. When you see something, say something.

Publicly confront misinformation. It can be uncomfortable to challenge a friend online, especially if you fear conflict. Anyone who responds via a link Snopes Post Or maybe other fact-checking sites don’t like being called out on it.

But the evidence shows that Clearly criticize specific reasoning In the post and Provide counter evidence such as links About it being fake Effective techniques.

even A rebuttal in short form– Saying something like “This is not true” is more effective than saying nothing. Humor – not making fun of people but– It might also work. Real people correct misinformation online.It can be As effectiveOtherwise Even more soFor example, if a social media company labels something as suspicious.

people Trust other people Algorithms and bots, especially those in our own social circles, are especially true when it comes to: Expertise on the subject or ~ is Close connection With the person who shared it.

Another benefit is that a public rebuttal lets other viewers know that you might want to look into it more closely before sharing it with them. So even if it doesn’t discourage the original poster, it discourages others.

7. When you see someone else standing, stand with them.

If you see someone else posting that a story is false, don’t say, “Well, they posted it before me, so I don’t have to.” If more people are claiming that a post is false, that’s a sign that sharing misinformation is dangerous. Being criticized by the entire group.

Stand with those who stand up, otherwise something will continue to be shared It reinforces people’s belief that it is okay. Because everyone is sharing misinformation, and only a very small number of people are opposing it.

The more misinformation you allow to spread, the more likely it is that more people will begin to believe it. Believe what you hear repeatedlyEven if you know it at first They are not true.

There is no perfect solution. Some misinformation It’s harder to cope with than othersAnd some coping strategies work better at different times or for different people. But you can play a big role in protecting yourself and the people on your social networks from confusion, deception, and falsehood.

This article is an updated version of an article originally published on March 18, 2021.

H. Colin Sinclair is an Assistant Professor of Social Psychology at Louisiana State University. This article was republished from conversation ~Below Creative Commons License. read Original article.