{"id":69928,"date":"2022-08-26T08:02:54","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T15:02:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/?p=69928"},"modified":"2022-11-10T08:32:53","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T16:32:53","slug":"misinformation-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/internet-culture\/misinformation-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Slow your scroll: 5 ways to fight misinformation on your social feed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"An illustration shows three columns containing newspaper icons along with social media icons.\" class=\"wp-image-69877\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/fx_blog_socialmediamisinfoguide_header.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Credit: Nick Velazquez \/ Mozilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The news is overwhelming. <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/internet-culture\/teens-gen-z-misinformation-social-media\/\">Attention spans are waning<\/a>. Combine those with <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/internet-culture\/how-to-delete-instagram-facebook-online-accounts\/\">social media<\/a> feeds that are optimized for endless scrolling, and we get an internet where misinformation thrives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In many ways, consuming news has become a social act. We get to share what we\u2019re reading and thinking through <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/internet-culture\/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-social-media\/\">social media<\/a>. Other people respond with their own thoughts and opinions. Algorithms pick up on all of this activity, and soon enough, our feeds <em>feed <\/em>us what to consume next \u2013 one after another. While it could be actual news and accurate information, often, it\u2019s an opinionated take, inaccuracy or even propaganda.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, the internet also connects us with <a href=\"https:\/\/newslit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/IsItLegit_infographic.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reliable sources<\/a>. But when it comes to social media, it becomes a matter of whether or not we actually stop scrolling and take the time to verify what we\u2019re seeing and hearing. So, how can we <a href=\"https:\/\/newslit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Misinfo_infographic_FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fight misinformation<\/a> in our never-ending feeds? Consider these five tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"ft-c-inline-cta\" href=\" https:\/\/www.mozilla.org\/en-US\/firefox\/family\/\">\n  <div class=\"ft-c-inline-cta__media\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-800x800.jpg\" class=\"attachment-1x1 size-1x1\" alt=\"An illustration reads: The Tech Talk\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2022\/08\/Blog-CTA-Banner.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ft-c-inline-cta__content\">\n     <h3>Talk to your kids about online safety<\/h3>      <span>Get tips<\/span>   <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Filter out the aesthetics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cool infographic catch your eye? Know that it\u2019s probably designed to do just that: grab our attention. Same with content from creators we love. One day they\u2019re dancing, the next they\u2019re giving us health advice. Before taking what we see and hear at face value, we should ask ourselves the 5 Ws:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Who is posting? <\/strong>Are they the original source of the information? If not, who is?<\/li><li><strong>What is the subject of the post?<\/strong> Is it the source\u2019s expertise or are they relaying something they experienced first-hand?<\/li><li><strong>When was it posted?<\/strong> Is the information still relevant today, or have circumstances changed?<\/li><li>If it\u2019s an image or a video, <strong>where is the event that\u2019s depicted located?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Why did they post it?<\/strong> Are they trying to sell you something or gain your support in any way?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. If something sparks emotion, take a beat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shocking images and videos can spread quickly on social media. It doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t trust them, but it does mean that stakes are higher when they turn out to be misleading or manipulated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before hitting that like or share button, consider what might happen if that turns out to be the case. How would sharing false information affect us, other people or the larger world? Emotions can cloud our judgment, especially when a topic feels personal, so just taking a moment to let our critical thinking kick in can often do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3.<\/strong> <strong>Know when it\u2019s time to dig deeper<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There can be obvious signs of <a href=\"https:\/\/newslit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Misinfo_infographic_FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">misinformation<\/a>. Think typos, grammatical errors and clear alteration of images or videos. But many times, it\u2019s hard to tell. Is it a screenshot of an article with no link, or footage of a large protest? Does the post address a polarizing topic?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It might even take an expert like an investigative journalist, fact-checker or researcher to figure out whether a piece of media has been manipulated or if a post is the product of a sophisticated disinformation campaign. That\u2019s when knowing how to find experts\u2019 work \u2014 trustworthy sources \u2014 comes in handy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Report misinformation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve determined that something is false, report it in the app. Social media companies often rely on users to flag misleading and dangerous content, so take an extra but impactful step to help make sure others don\u2019t fall for misinformation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Feed your curiosity \u2013 outside the feed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Real talk: Our attention spans are getting shorter, and learning about the world through quick, visual content can be more entertaining than reading. That\u2019s OK! Still, we should give ourselves some time to explore what piques our interests outside of our social media apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hear something outrageous? <a href=\"https:\/\/newslit.org\/educators\/resources\/eight-tips-to-google-like-a-pro\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Look up news articles<\/a> and learn more, maybe you can even do something about it. Concerned about vaccines, a pandemic or another public health emergency? <a href=\"https:\/\/newslit.org\/coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Educate yourself<\/a> and see what your local health officials are saying. Feel strongly about a topic everyone\u2019s talking about online? Start a conversation about it in real life. Our screens give us a window to the larger world, but looking up to notice what\u2019s right in front of us can be pretty great too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This guide was created in partnership with the News Literacy Project and the Teens for Press Freedom. The <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/newslit.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>News Literacy Project<\/em><\/a><em>, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed, more engaged and more empowered individuals \u2014 and ultimately a stronger democracy.&nbsp;The <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teensforpressfreedom.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Teens for Press Freedom<\/em><\/a><em> is a national, youth-led organization dedicated to promoting freedom of the press and factual literacy among teens.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The internet is a great place for families. It gives us new opportunities to discover the world, connect with others and just generally make our lives easier and more colorful. But it also comes with new challenges and complications for the people raising the next generations. Mozilla wants to help families make the best online decisions, whatever that looks like, with our latest series, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/mozilla\/the-tech-talk\/\">The Tech Talk<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The news is overwhelming. Attention spans are waning. Combine those with social media feeds that are optimized for endless scrolling, and we get an internet where misinformation thrives.&nbsp; In many ways, consuming news has become a social act. We get to share what we\u2019re reading and thinking through social media. Other people respond with their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":144,"featured_media":69877,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,461998,11377],"tags":[290533,464155,464157],"coauthors":[306191],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Slow your scroll: 5 ways to fight misinformation on your social feed<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The news is overwhelming. Attention spans are waning. 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