Way before COVID-19 hit, we were already feeling the negative effects of superspreaders. But instead of carrying a deadly virus, these people were spreading misinformation all over the web. You’ve probably unfriended and unfollowed a couple of dozen from your feeds, but have you stopped to think about your own posts? Here are a few tips to prevent yourself from becoming a part of the problem.
● Educate Yourself. The World Health Organization calls this crisis of disinformation on the net the “infodemic.” The best way to inoculate yourself from it is to inject yourself with a heavy dose of knowledge. Keep yourself up to date on what the latest scams, learn about social media platforms work, and dig into your favorite sources for news to make sure they’re legit.
● Recognize Your Vulnerabilities. Research shows you’re most susceptible to misinformation that aligns with your views. It’s called “confirmation bias” and we’ve all been guilty of it at some point. The key is to make sure you're getting other points of view and checking multiple sources before taking anything as fact.
● Be Aware Of Your Emotions. Just like you shouldn’t email angry, you shouldn’t share something when you’re upset either. Studies have found when you’re scrolling through social media in a bad mood that you’re more likely to spread misinformation. When you’re in an emotional state you’re likely not thinking rationally and instead simply going with your gut. But according to science, our guts are pretty gullible. Check out more ways to avoid being a misinformation superspreader HERE.