2 - Misinformation and Disinformation in Social Media

The rise of social media has paved the way for content sharing, fundamentally changing how people interact with one another. Audiences have steadily shifted away from newspapers to engage on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Reddit, and X (Twitter). These platforms have made news articles, file sharing, online shopping, informational and entertaining videos, and music all available at the touch of a button. 

[Individuals on their phone; picture above leads to source.]

The primary goal of social media is to keep audiences informed. This information has created a space where individuals can engage with content tailored to their experiences and hobbies. Audiences are now interested, informed, and aware at all times. Though this news is reaching a broader audience, disinformation and misinformation have stealthily crept into our devices.

Malicious content can introduce unreliability into our news. What begins as someone creating an article with bias may quickly derail into cementing harmful misconceptions and stereotypes. This information should not be taken lightly, and audiences should be aware of what content they are consuming. 

New technological advancements, such as the development of artificial intelligence, has introduced a new type of offender in social media. Artificial intelligence has quickly swept social media, fabricating fake videos of individuals, using people's words and ideas without consent, and attacking arts as we know it. 

   [Malware; picture above leads to source.]

Because this type of information is the cause of great controversy, the spread of fake news is more prevalent than factual news. People inherently drift toward drama, and the exchange of false or fabricated news quickly becomes a source of entertainment. But what exactly is this malicious information, and what does it mean for the future of social media?

Misinformation

The College of Staten Island defines misinformation as "unintentional mistakes" that are "accidental" and "not intended to harm." This type of unintentional misleading is stories getting lost in translation, information becoming hyperbolic to interest readers, or edited videos that dramatize a situation for views. Stories that have missing key points constitute misinformation, so sources should be checked for credibility. These errors are usually on the publisher or initiator's side and are non-malicious retellings or showcases that does not seek to cement harmful opinions or biases. 

On social media there has been a prevalence of fake news, or news that is completely made up. Content such as clickbait thumbnails, catchy titles, and grandiose pictures are all used to capture an audience's attention. This content is not inherently dangerous, as this information is a marketing technique that captures audience's attentions, but individuals should be aware of this fabricated news. 

[In this thumbnail, the two men are pointing at a couch that looks like a gorilla, yet the product is not showcased; picture above leads to the video.]

Disinformation

Disinformation is defined as "false information deliberately and covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth." This is fabricated content that creates theories or rumors with the intention of cementing harmful misconceptions or stereotypes. These titles often spark major controversy, affecting public perception negatively. According to the Northeastern University Library, disinformation is motivated by three factors: making money, political influence, or causing trouble for the sake of it. 

As mentioned, new technological advancements have made disinformation evolve quickly. Artificial intelligence now has the capability of creating deepfakes, or AI-generated videos, photos, or voice clips that mimic a real individual to spread false information or spark drama. These videos have taken over social media, affecting the reputation of these individuals depicted in these fabrications.

The Problem and How to Prevent it

Simply put: authentic content is hard to come by. Because social media has a major influence on what we see, determining fake news becomes difficult. Algorithms push certain content onto our feeds, so when controversy does arise, hearing about the other side is nearly impossible. Rather than uniting and informing people, news becomes something that divides and discourages.

To combat this, audiences should be aware of the content they are consuming. It is up to the consumer to research the legitimacy of an article by checking sources and credibility before reaching an opinion. News is something that is consumed every day, and while this is an amazing development, we as consumers should want to stay informed of the facts.