How to spot fake coronavirus posts on social media
Anyone who follows our website regularly will know that there has been a plethora of coronavirus themed rumours, misinformation and hoaxes spreading across social media.
They can be seen on our website here.
Some are merely time wasting, while others could be potentially dangerous. While social media can be used to share and spread accurate information to others, times like this have sadly demonstrated that it is perhaps just as effective at spreading misinformation.
The surge of misinformation related to coronavirus doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon,. So we’ve come up with a few pointers to help social media users spot the fake information out there.
Popular information doesn’t mean accurate information
On platforms where popularity is easily measured with metrics like shares and retweets, it can seem only natural to associate the accuracy of information we see online with how popular it is. However, as experienced online “debunkers”, we frequently see misinformation gain far more traction online that its accurate counterparts. Fake information will often get far more engagement than the truth that debunks it.
The old adage says that fake news will travel half way across the world before the truth has time to tie its laces. This is especially true in the world of social media. Just because a message has lots of retweets or shares, it doesn’t mean it’s true. Often, it means just the opposite.
Misinformation may contain accurate information
A lot of the inaccurate or fake information we’ve seen about coronavirus is often tangled with accurate information. This is often why inaccurate information spreads so far; because social media users see information they know to be accurate and mistakenly assume that all the information presented along with it must also be accurate, when that is not necessarily the case. This is a type of association fallacy.
In the context of the coronavirus, we have seen copy and paste “advice” about preventing the coronavirus offer accurate information such as washing your hands regularly (which is good advice) along with tips such as gargling warm water (which isn’t accurate advice.)
Remember that just because a message you see online contains accurate information, this doesn’t mean the entire message is accurate and should be shared.
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Copy and paste posts can quickly become out-dated
In a fast paced world, situations change and this is especially true with situations like the coronavirus pandemic. New information is always coming to light both with how we understand the virus and what people are expected to do (and not to do.)
Authorities and leading entities can adapt to this by issuing new press releases or adapting the content on their websites.
However social media posts – especially ones that are shared prolifically or copied and pasted across various social media platforms – are static. Meaning even if they did convey accurate information at the time they were initially authored (which they’re often not!) they could become out-of-date, even dangerous.
There are a number of reputable methods of getting up-to-date information, and we don’t recommend spreading copy and paste information about coronavirus on social media.
Just because a message says it came from a trusted source, it doesn’t mean it did.
We have seen a number of messages circulating social media claiming to offer authoritative advice about the coronavirus outbreak. Many of these messages claim to come from authoritative sources, like “Japanese doctors” or “Stanford University” or “Dr. Negrin Hospital” or “St. Georges Hospital”.
However such messages have not come from these sources, and they have been added mistakenly or maliciously. If the message appears as a copy and pasted (or shared) post, it is just a rumour and you shouldn’t assume it has come from a particular source just because that is what is says.
A friend of a friend…
‘My uncles colleague’s friend…’
‘My friend’s colleague’s sister…’
These are rumours, often copied and pasted numerous times rendering any connection between the author and reader non-existent. Don’t pass on messages from sources like this.
Beware fake cures
Currently there is no vaccine for the COVID-19 disease. When one becomes available, this will be well publicised through a number of reputable outlets. In the meantime, anyone offering cures – whether its ones they are selling or general household medicines or items – are NOT telling the truth. Such claims are trying to deceive you, take your money or are based on anecdotal accounts and thus not likely to work.
Such “cures” can also be dangerous. 44 people in Iran were reportedly killed after drinking a toxic form of alcohol that a social media rumour claimed would cure then of coronavirus.
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Use Fact-Checkers and search engines
Remember you can copy posts you see online and paste them into a search engine or a fact check website to see if it has already been discussed. We have numerous articles about various rumours about coronavirus, and many other fact checkers have even more! It only takes a handful of seconds to use Google to find a fact check on a post or go straight to your favourite fact check website first.
Stick to reputable sources
There are a number of reputable sources that will have the latest information concerning developments about the coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has the latest information concerning the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease, its symptoms and how people can avoid catching it, while regional entities can provide more information on what you should do if you do suspect you have it. For example the NHS website is a great resource for people in the UK, and the CDC website has information for people in the United States. For those living in Australia can check the Australian Department of Health website.
In terms of information regarding things such as travel restrictions, lockdowns and other measures recommended for residents of a particular country, you should check your government’s own website.
All of their webpages can easily be shared on social media, and their content can be change to deal with the evolving situation, so you know you’ll always be sharing the latest information.
And finally, if you see a post about coronavirus but you’re not sure if its real, check with one of these reputable sources before you hit share!