Social media is a two sided sword during times of national crisis, an emergency or some delicate political activity. Although such platforms asX (previously Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp are essential to keep in touch with everything happening in the real-time and stay interconnected, they also turn into hot spots of fake facts, hysteria, and total social polarization.
When passions are burning, one can easily be ready to add to the mess. It is important to know how to take care of your online presence. The following is a detailed instructional manual on how to use social media in a responsible manner whenever handling sensitive events in the country.
Verify Before You Share (The 3-Minute Rule)
The greatest danger at any national emergency is the rapid transmission of fake news. Mandatory three minute pause before clicking the Share button or Retweet button.
Triangle The News: Does this news hit several other credible news sources? When a volatile statement is present solely on some relatively unknown blog or an anonymous online social media profile, then the statement is probably false.
Consider the Date: Aged videos and pictures are often repackaged to suit the new stories. Never forget to check the original time of the content.
Check the Reverse image: Google has features such as Google images, where often a picture could be found that has been used in a past event in another country altogether.
Rely on Official Sources
Rumors travel quicker than facts especially during sensitive times. Also, it is better to find official statements instead of unverified WhatsApp forwards or the opinion of the influencer.
Follow the government handles that have been verified, official law enforcing pages and verified disaster managing authorities.
Keep in mind that my friend’s uncle works in the department, he said about me. is not a credible source. It should be an informed opinion based on facts confirmed.
Do Not Share Graphic or Disturbing Content
Mostly in the post tragedy, the media is flooded with photos and videos of tragedy victims. This is highly unethical and irresponsible to share such materials.
Honor Human Dignity: Publication of injured or dead people infringe on privacy of the victims as well as traumatizing their families.
Avoid Causing Panic: Graphic content can create a lot of panic and anxiety among the general population.
When it is necessary to publish some news about an incident, write it or publish official press releases instead of bloody pictures.
Be Mindful of Your Tone and Emotional Response
Incidents that occur in the country tend to evoke emotional responses. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry, sad, or anxious, but when that crude emotion is transferred to the Internet, it becomes a source of unjustified disputes.
Do not get into some poison debates with internet trolls.
Do not employ inflammatory language that may initiate violence or hatred among certain communities, ethnicity or groups.
Understand that it is a tense situation and you strive to be a voice of reason and calm in your online group.
Report Misinformation Immediately
Not only to your posts but to how you deal with the content of other people your responsibility also applies. When you encounter fake news, deepfakes, or hate speech, do not interact with it in any way (which only increases its algorithms). Rather, take the advantage of the inbuilt features of the platform to report the post as soon as possible.
Why shouldn’t I forward unverified voice notes on WhatsApp?
Voice notes are easily fabricated and lack visual proof or sources. Forwarding them during crises often leads to mass hysteria and false alarms. Always wait for official news channels to confirm the information.
What is the best way to correct someone sharing fake news?
Do not publicly embarrass them, as this often makes people defensive. Send them a polite private message with a link to a credible source that debunks their post, and gently ask them to take it down.
How can I protect my mental health during a national crisis?
Limit your screen time. Constantly doom-scrolling through tragic news can severely impact your mental health. Set specific times to check the news and log off to disconnect.
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