Opinion Piece: Is Social Media More Helpful or Harmful in Spreading Information?

Every so often, a friend might approach you with some shocking news they claim to have read in an article—only for you to stumble across the very same story while scrolling on TikTok later. In today’s digital age, where scrolling has become a default pastime, social media feeds us a constant stream of content. Alongside entertainment and connection,  comes a darker side: misinformation.

Now more than ever, we find ourselves spending more time on social media when we have nothing better to do, so we claim. This also means that we’ve all been exposed to misinformation, and misinformation thrives on shock value. It grabs our attention and tempts us to share it with friends, often without pausing to question whether it’s true.

The consequences of spreading false narratives are far from harmless. They can fuel hate and stereotypes, damage reputations, and even endanger health when people avoid treatments because of something they read online. It’s particularly dangerous spreading misinformation online due to how quickly and easily it can be spread, meaning that many get exposed to untrue media, and very few people will bother to fact-check

So how do we protect ourselves—and others? The first step is simple: never believe anything you find online without verifying it with a reliable website or news article. Though at the same time, as some major newspapers do use social media, always check that the account that you are getting news from is verified. 

Skip your pride, and tell your friend that you found that “news” from watching TikTok instead of pretending you read an article, it will save them and others from falling to ignorance.

– Anonymous