The spread of fake news is nothing new. But social media has made it easier than ever for people to share information that’s not true—and harder than ever for us to tell the difference between real and fake news. The problem goes beyond political concerns: It can also be used to sway public opinion on everything from health issues to dietary fads. Take a look at some of the ways that social media enables this phenomenon and explain what you can do about it.
The Platform Is Ripe For A Lack Of Editorial Oversight
1. There’s no fact-checking or transparency.
2. Accountability is difficult to come by, as there are no standards or resources in place to ensure that content on social media is accurate.
3. In the absence of context and perspective, people may interpret information in ways that are misleading or harmful to others–or themselves!
The Power Of Algorithms
The algorithms that power social media platforms are designed to show you content that you will like, which means they’re also designed to make money for the platform. The more time you spend on a site and the more information you give it about yourself, the more likely it is that you’ll see posts from advertisers who would like you to purchase their goods or services. This means that social media algorithms can be used both as an information source (by showing you stories) and as a way of making money (by showing you ads).
Public Platforms
Social media platforms have been called “the new public square,” but they’re not the same as a real-life public square. In a physical space, you can see who’s talking and listen to what they say. In contrast, on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter:
1. Anyone can post anything–and no editors or fact-checkers are checking for accuracy before it becomes available for people to see.
2. Because of this lack of editorial oversight, there’s an increased chance that inaccurate information will be spread through these networks.
Social Media As Echo Chambers
Social media is a powerful tool for spreading fake news. A 2016 study found that “a person’s ideological closeness to the information source increases their likelihood of sharing.” That means people tend to follow people and pages that share their views, and they are more likely to share stories that reinforce their views. This tendency towards confirmation bias has been exploited by fake news creators who are eager to spread disinformation on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Takeaway:
Social media is a powerful tool. It can be used to spread fake news and other misinformation, but it can also be used as a tool for good. To prevent yourself from being duped by fake news on social media, check your sources before you share them, and don’t rely too heavily on one platform for all of your information.
Conclusion
Social media are a powerful tool for spreading news and information, but they’re also susceptible to misinformation. The platforms themselves have no editorial oversight, which means there is nothing stopping anyone from posting whatever they want on them.
This can lead to people believing in things that aren’t true or being exposed only to viewpoints similar to their own–a phenomenon known as an echo chamber. If you want to know What roles do social media play in spreading fake news, read these guidelines and learn more.