Is Social Media News Dangerous?
We spend countless hours scrolling through our Facebook accounts, Twitter feeds, Instagrams, and Snapchats. Has all of this scrolling impacted how we view the world and find out what's happening? An increasing number of people are stating that they use social media as their primary source for news. In a changing world, should this fact be scary or normal? The cup's a little half empty, half full about this situation.
Part of me is a little scared of this fact simply because I understand how much "fake news" exists and how gullible people can be. I will formally raise my hand for being gullible and clicking the link that supposedly goes to the article about Channing Tatum getting a divorce. No, he is still married. Yes, I did feel like an idiot. Also, my fiance got a little offended. The "fake news" can be a little humorous when it's something like that. However, when the news sounds real, looks real, and feels real, people are most likely going to believe it without checking other news sources.
The idea of social media being a news source doesn't scare me because I use social media to stay up to date as well. I follow/like various news outlets such as Fox, CNN, Buzzfeed, ABC, NBC, etc. and I view these as accurate sources. Also, if a story is incredibly important, all of these outlets will write about the same event so you know it most likely did happen.
My list of ways to use social media as a news source without being gullible is three simple points.
1. Know your source: If the source seems a little shady, it probably is. Go with your gut, and if a story seems fake, it probably is. Use a trusted source that has a good reputation.
2. Call in Back-Up: When looking at an article about an event, go to your trusty friend, Google, and search for more facts so you can get the story straight.
3. Remain Skeptical: This is the best way not to be gullible or fall into a fake news trap. Stay skeptical and ask yourself: "Can this even be real?" "Can I find more information?" "What's the source?"
Make sure to follow this simple checklist to help you stay on top of current events without believing the phony stuff.
Part of me is a little scared of this fact simply because I understand how much "fake news" exists and how gullible people can be. I will formally raise my hand for being gullible and clicking the link that supposedly goes to the article about Channing Tatum getting a divorce. No, he is still married. Yes, I did feel like an idiot. Also, my fiance got a little offended. The "fake news" can be a little humorous when it's something like that. However, when the news sounds real, looks real, and feels real, people are most likely going to believe it without checking other news sources.
The idea of social media being a news source doesn't scare me because I use social media to stay up to date as well. I follow/like various news outlets such as Fox, CNN, Buzzfeed, ABC, NBC, etc. and I view these as accurate sources. Also, if a story is incredibly important, all of these outlets will write about the same event so you know it most likely did happen.
My list of ways to use social media as a news source without being gullible is three simple points.
1. Know your source: If the source seems a little shady, it probably is. Go with your gut, and if a story seems fake, it probably is. Use a trusted source that has a good reputation.
2. Call in Back-Up: When looking at an article about an event, go to your trusty friend, Google, and search for more facts so you can get the story straight.
3. Remain Skeptical: This is the best way not to be gullible or fall into a fake news trap. Stay skeptical and ask yourself: "Can this even be real?" "Can I find more information?" "What's the source?"
Make sure to follow this simple checklist to help you stay on top of current events without believing the phony stuff.
I believe it's a little sad that so many individuals rely on social media for every little thing. With the world changing and social media becoming the primary source for news and many other things, I think it's a little scary but not unbearably scary. I feel as if this is just our generation and whatever direction we go in, we'll all learn to adjust properly. I enjoyed your post and also the list of ways to use social media as a news source without being gullible. Some people may see those points as common sense but very little people abide by the points.
ReplyDeleteI won't lie, I definitely am guilty of relying on social media for all things news. With how this generation is and how much of an impact social media has on us, It is hard to avoid the news that pops up on social media. Although I'm aware that some news can be fake news, I do rely on credible sources and that trusty blue check, but It doesn't hurt to get some back up information.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this should be expected as social media grows as not only a source of entertainment, but as a source of information. Whether we get it from tv or news papers I believe there is always a possibility of getting bad information and people believing the certain source. However, I believe news outlets know what this day and age has come to and they're finding ways to evolve with the technological and social changes.
ReplyDeleteHello Lexi,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that majority of people who are on social media will attain there news from there. Especially twitter where you can see like the number one trending is probably the most recent news that happened so you can always stay updated. I think getting news from social media isn’t necessarily a bad thing but on Facebook there is a heavy amount of fake news that completely looks real and believable. But that what fake news is to be deceiving and to be mistaken for real true news. I enjoy the tips you give. The most important one is know your sources. If a weird unreliable source posts a news that is out of the ordinary majority of the time it’s probably fake news. The reliable sources are like CNN, Fox, MSNBC, articles such as Washington post and so on. The second point you make is true if your skeptical about the news you just read search it on Google. If nothing pops up it’s probably fake news once again. When people are reading news the only thing you can do is check the source to make sure it’s reliable news.
The shift in social media from being a source of entertainment to becoming the main source of news for most people has really sparked the rise in fake news. It is much easier now for unreliable sources to gain readers because these articles will pop up on Facebook or Twitter and people will be compelled to read them. Even though people think they are not gullible, many of the articles that spread fake news are often very convincing and make it seem like it actually could be real. I really like the three tips you include at the end of your post. I think they will be very helpful for people to distinguish between credible sources and ones that are not so much.
ReplyDeleteHi Lexi,
ReplyDeleteI found your post very intriguing because it is so relevant in today's world. Your points your described to make sure that news sources accessed through social media are credible are beneficial. They are simple and would be easy to follow for anyone who uses social media as a news outlet. I think that "calling in back-up" is sometimes a step I forget to follow, so I will make sure I keep this in mind if I ever come across an article I am not sure if I believe.
I really really like you post. My blog covers social media and how it is influences how we view the world. It is sad how many people get all of their news from social media. Social media is so full of fake news that people really do not know what to believe. Social media has changed the professionalism of journalism and the way mass media is put out into the world. Anyone can publish if they have access to the internet and social media is the easiest way for fake news to filter through society.
ReplyDeleteI love how you add little humorous side notes throughout the post! I believe we have all been gullible to fake news at one instance or another. Also I love the fact that you gave your readers a list to divert fake news. All of the tips and tricks that you list are extremely useful and versatile. I believe that individuals need to be more aware of where and from whom they receive their news. Lastly, great use of GIFs!
ReplyDelete