On some topics, you can't help but have strong opinions. Sharing and re-sharing misinformation on social media is one such topic for me. In recent years, numerous psychology researchers have delved into the habits of people on social media. Most claim that people share and re-share misinformation not due to laziness or an inability to confirm facts. It's not because the information is unavailable to them either. Rather, it has become habitual. That's the crux of it.
I don't know about you, but I concur. I've been guilty of this as well. In my younger and more immature days, I would re-share a post I liked without a second thought. I would share news without reading the entire article. It was easy, and I lacked a sense of personal and social responsibility. To be honest, I was oblivious to how much this behavior affects society. But now, I'm aware, and I feel compelled to raise awareness about it.
You might think that you're just an ordinary person and only a handful of people follow you, so what's the harm? However, it's the little drops of water that make a mighty ocean. Yet, being accountable for this rests solely on us. We must comprehend the far-reaching consequences of our seemingly harmless shares and take personal responsibility.
Recently, I encountered a group of individuals who share and re-share misinformation without any sense of personal or social accountability. These people are so prejudiced and consumed by hate that instead of focusing on the truth, they are dedicated to spreading lies about a specific group. Why? I haven't been able to understand.
On one or two occasions, I tried to correct them by guiding them toward accurate information. However, they perceived it as an attempt to hinder them from speaking the truth. The reality is, if you are truly confident about what you're sharing, all you need to do is provide me with the source. That alone would settle the matter.
For instance, if you've shared a quote from a news article, share the link. If you're quoting from a book, provide the title or author. Notice how these individuals never do that. They become extremely defensive. My observation is that they are well aware they didn't bother to fact-check before sharing, yet they are unwilling to acknowledge it. And when called out, they feel insulted, even though it's not intended as an insult. We all make mistakes fueled by enthusiasm.
While scrolling through social media, if you come across something that aligns with your preconceived beliefs, you might hit the share button without considering the source. However, recent events have made it evident that social media posts have real-life consequences. Therefore, it's no longer a "fun" or "harmless" situation. We all share in the responsibility.
So, this is how I've rectified my behavior. I no longer share news on social media. Period. When I wish to share something I care about or feel strongly about, I write it myself. This approach serves two purposes: writing allows me to think clearly and prompts me to question whether I'm being prejudiced or open-minded. It enables me to ask vital questions like, "Is this even relevant?" or "Do I truly want to write about this?" Additionally, I ensure that there is no misinformation involved. I'm not solely referring to Substack articles; I mean all social media posts. Even the images I share on my Instagram are self-created unless they're memes or similar content.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you feel a sense of self-responsibility when it comes to what you share on your social media? Or do you believe I'm being overly critical?
Now, that the serious talk is over, here is a poem for you to enjoy;
Toward the Light
Once you have seen the light,
Darkness loses its charm.
When you touch the stars,
Moon doesn’t seem afar.
If you know the truth,
The lie is no longer blissful.
And where the start meets an end,
To new heights, your soul might ascend.
What are you afraid of, then?
The light, the stars, or the truth?
Perhaps, the fear of something
Ending
Is what keeps you tethered
To this plane.
But what is gain
Without some loss?
Come into the light,
Reach the stars,
Uncover harsh truths of life,
And when you’re at the end of the race,
At peace, you will leave with grace.
© 2023 Fizza Younis. All Rights Reserved.
P.S. It was inspired by the group I mentioned above. And it’s proof that inspiration comes in many shapes and sizes. Also, people are put in our path for a reason.
Sources:
“Sharing of misinformation is habitual, not just lazy or biased.” https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2216614120
“Investigating Misinformation Dissemination on Social Media in Pakistan.” https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2106.09338