Technology has changed our lives in so many ways we can imagine. This is specifically evident in the aspect of social media. Social Media created an impressive impact in our lives. It has connected us with one another immediately and in a convenient and powerful manner. The different forms of social media include communication and interaction from email, social networking, instant messaging, video conferencing, blogs, business meetings and presentations. It also became an integral component in business and information.
As a frequent user of social media, I have realized that it is truly loaded with information from the different facets of society. Be it business, fashion, current events, and religion-all this can be found in social media. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to social media and that is misinformation due to fake news. Fake news poses biases which influence users and manipulate them for different reasons. Social media amplifies these biases, inflames suspicions, feeds fears which results in making matters worse. Social media platforms provide personal recommendations based on the preferences of the majority and prioritizes information that the public would most likely agree with shielding us from the substantial information that we need to know.
We as social media users contribute to the circulation of fake news making misinformation flourish. The more sensational the news is, the more it becomes appealing. From there, the contents gain rapid exposure and make it potentially viral. Each network affects delivery of information in different ways creating an impact on how people handle issues.
Fake news on social media may be unavoidable. But you can help stop the spread by thinking critically.
As digital natives, let us sensibly use technology effectively. One quote states, https://wabisabilearning.com/blogs/technology-integration/5-digital-literacy-skills“>The messages we create and consume, along with the information we generate and absorb daily, all require digital literacy skills to some degree. According to Widona (2020), “Digital literacy is the ability to use and create technology-based content, including finding and sharing information, answering questions, and interacting with others and computer programming” . We have crucial responsibilities to control the proliferation of fake news. Let us maintain a healthy level of curiosity to investigate matters that we read, hear and encounter. Each and every one of us has the responsibility to fight the hazard of fake news.
By: Catherine L. Jongco | Master Teacher I | Bataan National High School | Balanga, Bataan
