Graphic by Lucia Baring-Gould
Tae Hong
Opinions Reporter
If you’re on the internet, you’re absorbing information whether you like it or not. Let’s be honest: most of us are on the internet almost 24/7. We scroll through Instagram posts, tap through Snapchat stories, and explore other platforms such as Twitter, Reddit, and Tik Tok. Through these applications, we learn and process information created by other people—but what if that information is not correct?
It is incredibly easy to make up a fact or statistic, post it, have hundreds—or maybe even thousands—of people read and believe it, and possibly repost it. In addition, social media apps have specifically designed algorithms to keep users engaged and on the app as much as possible. These algorithms are programmed to show users specific advertisements or posts that they think they would like. For example, if you’re into clothes, Instagram might show you posts by fashion accounts or advertisements for different stores. This might seem harmless, but in reality, these algorithms keep you in your own personal bubble on your phone or computer. Since you’re only seeing what you like or posts that agree with your own opinion, these algorithms only reinforce your own ideas.
For example, numerous ideas about the vaccine have been spread on social media. Many of these ideas are falsely proven, and even though they are widespread, they were initially started by only a few people. If you only see Facebook posts explaining “how vaccines give you autism” or “make you infertile,” you will definitely keep on believing these statements, and the more you’re on the internet absorbing these Tweets and headlines, the more your ideas are reinforced with possibly disordered information.
“I see a lot of misconceptions [about] COVID and how people are spreading misinformation about it,” said junior Maya Mohanti. This is where the issue becomes dangerous. Interacting with people that have the same views as you can limit your ability to have an open mindset. Moreover, it can make you believe your ideas and personal opinions are the majority, when in reality, there might only be a small group of people who agree with you in the real world.
Another example of this took place earlier this year, when there was a statistic going around saying that 97% of females have been sexually assaulted. This statistic is unclear and unspecific, and if you saw it for a few seconds on someone’s story, you might believe it. This is 100% not an attempt to undermine sexual assault, but in reality, the statistic comes from a study done in the UK (by YouGov) with a group of around 1,000 women ranging from ages 18-24. In fact, the study actually states that 3% of women 18-24 in the UK reported that they had not “experienced the behaviors [they] asked about.” The number of women sexually assaulted is still unacceptably high, but not quite 97%; closer to 80% in the US.
This just shows how one statistic from the UK can travel down the internet grapevine and plant a “fact” with no studies to back it up.
“I saw this picture of bacteria swabs from a mask after three hours, and it was really nasty, but that’s obviously fake,” says Isabel Dantas, a junior, describing another example of inaccurate information on social media platforms.
Sarah Otis, another junior at South, gave an additional example of misleading posts she’s come across on the internet: “I’ve also seen a lot of things like, ‘this is an abortion,’ and it’s false information about what an abortion really is.”
“A lot of kids will just repost what everyone else is reposting even if it isn’t true or factual,” says Mohanti.
Social media platforms have been taking certain measures to try to prevent inaccurate information from being spread. For instance, on Instagram, you might see a little message under a post flagging it for possible flawed information. On Twitter, tweets related to COVID might have a link to accurate data about COVID-19.
But are they really that effective? And what about freedom of speech? Can private companies take down certain posts that have untrue statements, or is that unconstitutional? This topic brings up a long list of questions that are worth considering.
In conclusion, definitely do not trust everything you see on the internet. When you are consuming information online, check the credibility of your sources. Use the CRAAP test: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. As has been ingrained into our brains, Newton South’s library has reliable sources for any type of research you need. Happy internetting!
