The news and social media

Now more than ever we rely on the news to keep up-to-date with the latest Coronavirus pandemic updates. Unfortunately, during this bizarre period there seems to be increasing fictitious reports circulating around social media which makes separating fact from fiction difficult at times. ‘Fake news’ has been a very loaded phrase in recent years brought to light by increasing use of social media.

Nowadays, unreliable/unchecked facts and reports can pretty much go viral instantaneously and with around 39 million social media users in 2017 in the UK and 67% of online adults on Facebook in 2016 it is unsurprising. Ofcom (the UK Communications regulator) reports half of adults now use social media for News.

Tips for recognising fake information:

• Before you share-Check the source and consider the reliability of the source i.e.if the account/website is bogus or if it is from a verified account and any biases. Consider whether the information is fact,speculation or opinion. 
• Sources of information such as public heath bodies like WHO (the world health organisation) and the NHS are the most reliable and reputable sources for health news and information.

Social media is very much a doubled edged sword. Whilst it is good to keep updated on the latest rules and advice on Coronavirus and stay in the touch with friends and family it is also vital to switch off. Constantly checking the news or social media can be harmful to your mental well-being and make you feel anxious. Managing your news and social media ‘consumption’ may help you to feel more relaxed.

Some approaches could include:

• Sitting a routine/time to look at the News and social media each day. E.g. once in the morning and once in the evening.

• Turn off or reduce notifications (consider is it really necessary to be alerted every time someone you follow posts, these individual notifications can be really distracting- once you seen a post you look at other post, time flies and before you know it you have been on Instagram 30 minutes.) 

• Apps like Forest, Moment, Flipd or Plantie which can help to limit app usage by setting periods of focus where you app usage is restricted.

You may find this link this link useful,https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/school-report-43391188b

the article and interactive game designed by the BBC are aimed at 11-18 year olds to help to recognise disinformation across the media.

Thanks for reading-Annabelle