Think Before You Share! How to Spot & Stop Misinformation On Social Media

In the digital era, social media has emerged as a powerful yet dangerous tool for sharing and circulating content. While considering its cons, it has also become a ubiquitous breeding ground for misinformation that results in harmful consequences in the form of: panic, division, and false paradigmatic narratives. Today, as we navigate around on social media platforms, we can find high volumes of fake content over authentic ones, and this can be seen in almost every field. 

The magnitude of its severity can be understood from the fact that people have turned this into a source of income. From small retailers to fake spiritual guides, the overflowing misinformation on the internet is troubling every individual. Combating misinformation is going to require a collective effort, awareness, and responsible action. Let’s explore some useful steps which can help us in tackling misinformation while exploring things online.

Verify the source

Always fact-check before hitting ‘share’ to anything on social media. Look for sources from credible news outlets or official statements from verified accounts. Don’t rely on sensational headlines or unverified claims; those are designed to get attention and gather only TRP, not inform accurately. For example, while performing a financial transaction, always check if the link you are transferring money to is from an official source or not, one can check it by confirming it from the bank also.

Encourage fact-checking

Cross verification of facts i.e., fact checking is an essential tool while surfing online or while dealing in our real world. Cheating because of lack of awareness is very common especially in countries like India. This can be seen in financial frauds, fake advertisements, and even in information related to spiritual contexts, primarily on social media platforms like youtube and facebook. 

Instead of believing it directly, one can choose to dig out its official source from the internet itself. For example, instead of going directly to an advertisement for installing an application in an android device, you can directly search for it from the play store. And while understanding the spiritual context of holy Vedas from some youtube videos, one can cross verify its translation from sanskrit dictionary, everything available on relevant websites on the internet itself.

Report misinformation

Most of the social media platforms have provisions for reporting content that appears to be fake or misleading. These reports are how you help to get rid of the misinformation and save others from being misled. Reporting takes just a few seconds but can have lasting effects. For example, every Bank encourages us to report every scam message which involves changes to our bank accounts without our prior knowledge. 

Raise awareness 

Keep yourself updated on what is happening and learn how to spot fake news. Share it with friends and family, and it will create a ripple effect in awareness. Help others learn how to critically evaluate a piece of content by checking the dates, verifying the claims with multiple sources, and checking the bias. For example, banks always provide toll-free numbers to report frauds, you can also share this kind of vital information with your friends and family. 

Support credible sources

This would include giving a louder voice to well-reputed journalists, and researchers from different think tanks, and organisations. By amplifying the voice of credible sources, you contribute to drowning out misinformation and paving the way for reliable information to thrive. You can share verified news stories that can help balance out fake news narratives. 

For example, there is a video released by youtube channel ‘Factful Debates’ a few days ago, focusing on misinformation circulating about rumoured fake spiritual concepts spreaded by fake spiritual leaders, and the video also sheds light on the authentic true spiritual knowledge shared by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj. You can also watch this incredibly complied video below: 

Approach viral content with skepticism

Not everything that goes viral is true because most of those posts are planned to gain TRPs rather than hold any regard for factual integrity. Everything that is too shocking or matches up a bit too much with one particular agenda is something you really would want to question. Critical thinking is perhaps the most powerful tool in fighting against misinformation. For example, while looking at some advertisement, maybe on an offer for sale of mobile phones, sold at incredibly half of their original price, always check its source and price on the original manufacturer’s website before proceeding further. 

Be wary of bias

Most misinformation takes advantage of confirmation bias, which occurs when a person believes only what coincides with his current view. Train yourself to actively seek out several viewpoints and consider the content with an open and critical mind. For instance, the algorithm of social media content is more than often linked with your preferences and search history on the internet, so better be cautious before trusting any random source that may match with your interest. 

Message to the Society

Everyone is responsible for fighting misinformation on social media. By verifying sources, reporting fake content, and educating ourselves and others, we can make social media a safer and more reliable space. Next time you see something that looks questionable, seek out, investigate, and act responsibly. Together, we can stop the chain of misinformation and create a more knowledgeable digital world.