Introduction
I found this week’s topic very engaging, as fake news is an ongoing issue that many online users face. As a result, I commented on three blog posts this week. This furthered my learning, providing a solid understanding on detection, prevention and awareness of fake news.
Media Literacy + Fake News Evaluation
The discussion with Tewsdae made me aware of how information is distributed online. We identified how fake information can affect individuals, especially when social platforms play a ‘distributor’ role (Fox, 2018).
Moreover, statistics show that users have little belief in news shared online by their peers and relatives (Statista, 2018). 61% of participants in this survey had ‘little trust’, which is alarming. We should be able to trust most information sources we find online. If this is not the case, who can we actually trust?
Furthermore, Lakshay’s post introduced a new perspective of fake news, as individuals align their sentiments with facts to believe information. With filter bubbles, algorithms do not differentiate information. This creates a small, restricted network. Therefore, we should consider how information can evolve on social media, by adapting algorithms to minimise bias (Youtube, 2017).
In addition, the discussion with Nathaniel looked at the younger generation, and their association with fake news. I learnt that educational games exist, helping children to identify fake sources (BBC, 2018).
However, I believe this should be integrated into primary and secondary learning, enforcing the online dangers early on (Kershaw, 2018). Therefore, the risk of believing fake news is significantly reduced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the effect of completely removing fake news will be drastic on social media, affecting site functionality (Coren, 2017). Therefore, tools are available online for authenticating information. I believe we need to encourage this, to minimise fake news beliefs. However, are we certain that these tools are not fake?
Word Count: 302
Comments
Comment on Tewsdae’s Post
Comment on Lakshay’s Post
Comment on Nathaniel’s Post
References
Fox, M. (2018). Fake news spreads further, faster on social media. Euronews. [online] Available at: http://www.euronews.com/2018/03/08/fake-news-lies-spread-faster-social-media-truth-does-n854896 [Accessed 17 Mar. 2018].
Statista. (2018). How much do you trust news that your friends and family share on Facebook?. [online] Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/652584/trust-facebook-news-usa/ [Accessed 17 Mar. 2018].
YouTube. (2017). Fact Checking in a Fast-Paced Social Media Driven World | Linda Beck | TEDxHarrisburg. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im6X5F8nQAI [Accessed 17 Mar. 2018].
BBC (2018). BBC takes ‘fake news’ battle global as interactive game launched in UK. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/school-report-fake-news [Accessed 17 Mar. 2018].
Kershaw, A. (2018). School children ‘should be taught to recognise fake news’. Independent. [online] Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/school-children-taught-recognise-fake-news-donald-trump-andreas-schleicher-a7636251.html [Accessed 17 Mar. 2018].
Coren, M. (2017). Ending fake news means changing how Wall Street values Facebook and Twitter. Quartz. [online] Available at: https://qz.com/1099581/blame-wall-street-for-fake-news/ [Accessed 17 Mar. 2018].
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