Who Can I Trust?
Know the algorithm
social media fuels the spread of conspiracy theories... but how?
Social media tends to operate on algorithms to bring you the content that you want to see --- and conspiracy theories tend to be more exciting than the truth. The motivation of social media companies like Facebook and Instagram is to get you to 'click' more... and what better way to get 'clicks' than by sharing exciting conspiracy theories that align with your opinions? The first time one is brought a conspiracy theory with the algorithm, they might be skeptical, but the more it appears on one's feed, the more convincing it seems. With the same information constantly brought to our 'news' feed, we begin to exist in different information realities, many of which are fueled by conspiracy theories.
TRUST UNBIASED NEWS SOURCES
We all love to have our own opinions confirmed! However, sources that are biased towards a certain belief, especially political ideologies, will sometimes to whatever it takes to produce content that they know will draw an emotional response. Don't fall for this. Look instead to reputable and scientific sources. If you don't believe that any news sources are unbiased, look to scientific/scholarly articles by acclaimed researchers! Data doesn't lie in a good, credible study.
DON'T TRUST THOSE THAT ARE JUST LOOKING FOR 'CLICKS'
Many conspiracy theories are circulated by people looking to garner more views online. Some are YouTubers, some are Tik Tokers --- but no matter what, they are reaching to find any evidence, no matter how accurate, to support a crazy claim that will stun viewers and draw lots of Internet attention. You can't check an Internet star's credibility, but you can check the credibility of a scientist by looking at peer reviews of their work.
TRUST LOGIC!
Don't let your social media news feed outwit you! If your source is reporting claims not supported by reliable data and/or credible scientists, especially if this source tends to share news from one specific and opinionated perspective and/or the source's only motivation seems to be to get 'views', then they are likely not credible. Always think about what the motivation for sharing such a conspiracy theory might be!