Combating Misinformation and Pseudoscience in an Infodemic

In surveying the current COVID-19 information landscape, one thing is very apparent—the amount of information is overwhelming. The public is constantly bombarded with an excess of information (regarded as an infodemic) that can be hard to navigate. Additionally, most scientific papers are dense and difficult for the public to access, posing another challenge for individuals to extract the right information. With all these limitations and challenges, how can we educate ourselves to find the right information?

Be Inquisitive

The internet is a powerful tool to self-educate. Social media, academic journals, and news outlets contain a wealth of information just a quick search away. With that being said, not only do we need to equip ourselves with a compass to navigate this sea of knowledge, but it will also help to differentiate between solid and weak evidence. When we come across a picture, a video, or an article, some of these questions may be helpful:

1. Where are content creators getting the information from?
2. Is the information coming from one or multiple sources?
3. Did the content creators include a link to the source? Does the source look questionable? Some indicators of a questionable source¹ include:
   1. An exaggerated “clickbait” title designed to attract attention but does not match the story,
   2. Strange URLs masquerading as established news sites, and
   3. Poor grammar and spelling that suggests a lack of an editorial process.
4. Is the content creator relying heavily on emotion rather than strong evidence to make their case? What kinds of language and tone do they use?
5. Is the information coming from a scientific paper? Is the paper peer-reviewed? Have other scientists been able to replicate the results?

Just as we practice personal hygiene during this pandemic, digital hygiene is essential in navigating an infodemic. David Robert Grimes, scientist and author of The Irrational Ape, has provided some of his insights in a recent interview with PBS. Briefly, he expresses that when new information is presented to us, we should treat it with some distance, put on our skepticism goggles, and ask the question: “Is this legitimate?”. Another way to think about it is when we receive new information, do we question it regardless of whether it supports or challenges our beliefs?

Additionally, there are websites dedicated to fact-checking claims, such as PolitiFact and FactCheck, and Google also highlights how some of its tools can be used for fact-checking. Several more sites have been established specifically to identify COVID-19 misinformation, including Ryerson University’s Government of Canada-funded Covid19Misinfo. Both MediaSmarts and Evidence for Democracy are among non-profit organizations that provide tools to empower digital literacy to help users identify misinformation. Taking up “truth pledges” as offered by Evidence for Democracy or ProTruthPledge can further strengthen our resolve and remind us to seek what is true.

Detox from Information Overload

Studies show that compulsive social media use can result in social media fatigue and give rise to anxiety, confusion, and depression². In the contexts of COVID-19 and information overload, these factors correlate with the sharing of misinformation, whether intentional or not^{3 4}. As much as it is important to seek the right information, sometimes taking a step back from the incessant news cycle to mentally rejuvenate is equally vital⁵.

Undertaking a social media detox often involves minimizing time on social media, deleting social media applications, or replacing the time that would be spent on social media with mindfulness⁶ or anxiety-alleviating activities such as meditation, reading, exercising, or spending time with others⁷. Documenting a social media detox in a journal⁸, scrapbook, or blog (such as this day-by-day example) can serve as both a mindfulness activity and a reflection on social media habits and behaviours. Devoting time otherwise spent consuming information to self-care can help improve mood and health, deepen relationships, and also improve self-esteem^{6 9}.

The digital and technological age has brought with it an infodemic that has taken on a new dimension of urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being cognizant about the overabundance of information, empowering ourselves to be informed, equipping ourselves with the right tools, and recognizing a need to socially and mentally detach from social media and the news from time to time are some ways that we can continuously manage this sea of information. 

References

1. Columbia College: Real vs. Fake News: Detecting lies, hoaxes and clickbait. Feb 28, 2020.
2. Dhir, A et al. Online social media fatigue and psychological wellbeing—A study of compulsive use, fear of missing out, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Int J Inf Manag. 2018 (40):141-152.
3. Talwar, S et al. Why do people share fake news? Associations between the dark side of social media use and fake news sharing behavior. J Retail Consum Serv 2019 (51);72-82.
4. Logan, K et al. “Unfriend Me, Please!”: Social Media Fatigue and the Theory of Rational Choice.  J Mark Theory Pract 2018 (4):357-367. 
5. WKYC Studios: Do you need a social media detox? Cleveland Clinic specialist provides some tips. Nov 10, 2020.
6. Grossman, P et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis.J Psychosom Res. 2004 57(1):35-43.
7. Medium: How to Do a Social Media Detox (and Why You Should Right Away). May 5, 2020.
8. Lepik, K et al. Students on a Social Media ‘Detox’: Disrupting the Everyday Practices of Social Media Use. In: Information Literacy in Everyday Life, ECIL 2018. Communications in Computer and Information Science, Volume 989. 2019: Springer, Cham.
9. Apaolaza, V et al. Mindfulness, Compulsive Mobile Social Media Use, and Derived Stress: The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Social Anxiety. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2019 22(6):388-396.