INFODEMIC: What do we need to know about the harmfulness of inaccurate coronavirus information?
We can’t resist the news even if we want to. Social networks, news, dailies, shows, radio stations are places, and locations always flooded with the news. Ultimately, that is the purpose of their action. Current affairs are impossible to avoid, and these days there is almost no adult (or child) who has not seen a post or received a message related to statistics, guidelines, provisions, measures or tips related to the coronavirus through at least one of social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger. Ultimately, one of our friends, colleagues, family members or neighbors will convey to us what he has heard or seen, we will share information, comment together, question, conclude, elaborate. And it is good that it is so that we are informed and up-to-date, that we follow the measures, instructions and ultimately follow them. By following and following the instructions of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, we save lives for ourselves and others.
However, in the oceans of this news, if nothing else than the law of probability, we will come across misinformation, scary and alarming information, bombastic and sensationalist headlines that offer us new and hitherto unknown but inaccurate information.
The extent to which the dissemination of inaccurate information is dangerous is also borne out by the World Health Organization’s guidance on the dangers of another epidemic (other than the epidemic corona), which is an epidemic of information – an infodemia.
We read and listen to possible opinions about the expediency of the measures taken, about conspiracy theories, foods that cure and prevent infection. Any new information or advice catches our attention. Let us consider that the corona virus is an epidemic that we are all facing for the first time. Isolation and quarantine are a new concept in our lives, and in situations of fear and uncertainty, danger and danger to life, we always seek information more because urgent and life-threatening situations require an urgent and urgent response from our bodies. These are the reasons why we will read as much news as soon as possible, which will attract us to bombastic and sensationalist headlines. We will try to miss absolutely nothing, even if we decide that we have too much and want a break, we will make up for the lack of information when we first log into social networks. The less we know and the more unfamiliar the situation, the more we crave for more information, the more natural and adaptive we are.
Why are we clicking on the tragic stories in the Black Chronicle?
To understand why we click on black statistics and tragic stories from the Black Chronicle, we have to go back tens of thousands of years to the past. Namely, from the earliest times man developed and adapted to survive. In order to survive, he had to have information about what and where the danger was and how to defend himself and save his own life.
To this day, our brains continue to recognize potential sources of danger, including the loudest alarms precisely on life-meaning information. The bad news seems more accurate to us – we are less likely to make mistakes. Positive information and news, optimistic estimates and approximations seem like an attempt to mislead or comfort, and if they turn out to be inaccurate, the damage is immense. Information about whether we hear the roar of a lion or the vote of a bear really saves lives. He shared the exact information of life and death. This is now – let’s be real – the time that life means. So clicking on scary headlines is a search for attempts to protect our lives, that is, information and knowledge restores a sense of lost control. We have the experience to know what and how we should do it, if necessary. News that informs about the potential threat of a virus corona is more important than which recipe is the most favorite this month.
Also, when processing information, our brain acts selectively, which means that it focuses attention on dangerous and disturbing information, that is, the number of deaths that have been infected, and fails to detect those positive, such as the number of people who have been cured.
The creation and power of misinformation
Information that captures our attention uses compelling and logical facts, is based on prejudice and stereotypes, and evokes emotions of anger, frustration, fear – they can easily convince us of their accuracy and arouse our readiness to react and act. This is exactly how much misinformation were created, because that is their purpose, and they aim to increase readership, gain supporters and activist action.
The power of misinformation could never be as fatal as it is today, not only for the individual but for the entire cities and states. In these difficult times, spreading false information (even for good reason!) Is a threat to one’s health. Once set up unverified and inaccurate information, there are uncontrollable travelers on digital platforms and channels. How dangerous the infodemia is today – is evidenced by the fact that Google, the social networks Facebook and Twitter (in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other competent institutions) are actively working to promptly remove all potential misinformation about the coronavirus.
It’s not just the media that creates misinformation as we first think. Each of us (behind his private profiles) can be a participant either by forwarding or creating them. The responsibility is individual.
The unfounded opinions, attitudes and statements of all individuals whose profession is not virology and epidemiology, or medicine, cause irreparable damage in the public space and consequently lead to a loss of confidence in the profession and experts. Numerous tips on changing your diet, taking vitamins and supplements, drinking a certain number of deciliters of water; ideas and conclusions that the coronavirus is not a virus but a deception by the public, that it is a common flu or cold – are dangerous to one’s life.
For now, we know that there is no cure for the coronavirus, and it is officially published on the World Health Organization website. The only relevant tips we can protect ourselves are the ones we hear daily from HQ experts, the rest is mere misinformation, which is sometimes not created out of bad intent, but is the product of ignorance and thinking, not knowledge and expertise.
Although we sometimes seem to know something because we have information, dozens of us, if we are not experts, stop and think if there is anyone in the profession who really knows – let’s not be overwhelmed by the information that causes us to be less critical. Reading or sharing such headlines, hints, and tips remind ourselves that emotionally charged information is not necessarily accurate information.
We tend to believe facts that seem logical and proportionate to the assessed danger. So even if it seems to us that handwashing is a disproportionately small and insufficient step in the fight against this world-reeling virus, let’s remember that it is solely our judgment and experience, not the absolute truth. Hand washing, higher standards of hygiene and staying home are the only and guaranteed companions, expert epidemiologists at the world and national level say. If there are any new ones, the experts will surely speak about them publicly and send us on time.
Impact of misinformation on children
Children and young people are particularly at-risk groups, and we are only working with them to develop critical thinking. This is a great opportunity for all of us to check what they know, where they have come to know it, and to examine together the sources of this information and to refer them to relevant and real ones. Recall that misinformation is often overwhelming and causes many unpleasant emotions. Maybe our child has understood or read that anyone who has coronavirus and dies and is afraid to ask because it reads from our face that we are scared and worried. Horrible scenarios are spinning in his head. On the other hand, it is possible that the adolescent has read that coronavirus is a type of common cold and, accordingly, does not understand the severity of the situation, quarantine and isolation. All these measures that the state introduces, from its point of view, seem unfounded and unfounded.
Talking to a child is necessary and necessary for understanding and behavior. If children know why they are doing something, then they are more likely to do it. In the event that we find that our child believes in misinformation, we will do our best to question his or her accuracy using relevant information from verified sources. The benefits are manifold, we develop critical thinking, we protect our child and ourselves, we spend time together, we use smart devices wisely.
How to distinguish accurate information from misinformation?
The questions that will help us detect the accuracy of the information are: Who posted? What is the purpose and purpose of this news? To whom does this news benefit or hurt? Are there any such news on verified sources? Is there a lack of information balance or some important message?
We can recognize real and accurate information by its simplicity, accuracy, consistency, and a sense of predictability and caution (not panic).
Usually, misinformation is recognized by its dramatic nature and sensationalism, it evokes emotions of fear, uncertainty, anger and anxiety and calls for action and urgent action.
Both adults and children alike, and especially in this sensitive time, are increasingly turning their attention to danger signs. It is natural for both adults and children to have various questions, dilemmas, to raise feelings of curiosity, but we really do have opportunities and, consequently, the responsibility of our information choices. It is our responsibility where we seek our answers.
The media can be our great ally in information, an ally to get everyone back together as soon as possible and in the most painless way possible, and to leave the age of the epidemic behind – more empathetic and more solidarity than before. Make sure you try to keep up to two to three times a day, follow the directions of the staff. Spend quality time, focus on adopting positive habits and routines.
And let’s not forget, as we have the ability to share inaccurate and dark news, we have the ability to share accurate, beautiful and stimulating ones. There can’t be too many of us in these days.
Sources we recommend that you get informed (on the Croatian language):
Croatian Institute for Public Health – https://www.hzjz.hr/
Official Website of the Government of the Republic of Croatia about coronavirus – https://www.koronavirus.hr/
By: Ana Raguž, MSc. of psychology
Disclaimer: This is unofficial translation provided for information purposes. Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center cannot be held legally responsible for any translation inaccuracy.
