impact of social media during covid 19
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WHAT PARTICULAR STRENGTHS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ARE HIGHLIGHTED DURING SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES?For me, this crisis highlights the particular strengths of social media in how they can be used for the second type of purpose; that is community and emotional support. Just like we have seen with other crises, such as the earthquake and following tsunami that caused the nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, the terrorists attacks in Paris and elsewhere in Europe over the past years, we see today that people all over the world reach out to each other – close by and far away – through social media to make sense of what is happening.
am thinking of the many funny videos about how people creatively deal with the lockdown, of the neighborhood Facebook groups that organize entertainment and practical support to help neighbors who need assistance with grocery shopping or childcare, and the quick rise of apps and functionalities that allow for live chat and video sessions with multiple people.
am thinking of the many funny videos about how people creatively deal with the lockdown, of the neighborhood Facebook groups that organize entertainment and practical support to help neighbors who need assistance with grocery shopping or childcare, and the quick rise of apps and functionalities that allow for live chat and video sessions with multiple people. This is social media in its core and at its best.
*PEOPLE TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA NOT ONLY FOR SUPPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT, BUT ALSO USE IT AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION… AND FAKE NEWS.*
This is where we need to warn for the dark side of social media and its role in spreading fake news. Platforms have been slow in acknowledging their responsibility in helping platform users distinguish fake news from facts, but they are taking steps in the right direction. Instagram, for example, announced to only include COVID-19 related posts and stories in their recommendation section that are published by official health organizations. In general, my advice is to crosscheck information that you get through social media with at least two other information sources such as government websites and high-quality news outlets. In addition, we also all have a role to play by not further spreading rumors through our social media accounts.