Can Social Media Be Blamed? Misinformation and Zika Virus Outbreaks!

In this digital era, social media is not just a catalyst that engages in sharing information and facts, but it is more like a double-edged sword that often spreads misinformation as well. So now the question is, can social media be blamed for the misinformation about the Zika Virus? Here in this blog let's intricate the relationship between social media and the accuracy of the information we get. Here’s what you need to know:

Social Media’s Influence and Zika Misinformation:

1. Popularity eats Accuracy:

Back when the Zika virus was a concerning disease in 2016, researchers found out that four out of five popular posts on FB related to the Zika virus were accurate information. And the posts containing the misinformation and conspiracies were spread like wildfire and were made popular. This is one real-life case that highlights why there’s a challenge in balancing both accuracy and virality on social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. A bulletin from M. Kindhauser, T. Allen, V. Frank, R. Santhana, and C. Dye in their WHO research states

“Zika virus infection has evolved from a mild, mosquito-borne infection in equatorial Africa and Asia to a large outbreak-causing virus linked to neurological sequelae and congenital abnormalities.”

2. The Misinformations:

Misinformation is the concept that revolves around the internet, that too in the social media to be more clear. People usually get click-baited or get drawn to attention-grabbing titles or titles that simulate fear. But guess what? Even the verified sources, come up with content, that seems trending, but after days they analyze that they were also a catalyst for the misinformation.

Case Study One of the main victims was Hand Sanitizer Frenzy, during the first wave of 2020's pandemic, WHO approved hand sanitizer. Media hyped hand sanitizers as if they were a magic bullet to repel the deadly corona. Later, science gave logical reasons that a regular handwash is even more effective when compared to sanitizing, and overusing sanitizers could potentially harm your skin. The lack of clear evidence/ communication remained the culprit behind this misinformation.

3. Amplification of Risk

Imagine you are in your school days, to be more particular grade 3, and there's a rumor going around that drinking coffee will make you grow an extra toe. 
Sounds good or Scary?
Scary right!!!
That's what social amplification of risks shortly are!
This happens when something that seems spooky or risky gets a breakout majority of the population (especially when it is online). Just like the rumor, this is never true. Even we as grown-ups, get confused by these scary stories! This is why it is note-worthy to be more careful about what you see online. A blind belief will keep you updated on the hoax, but you'll be two steps behind the reality.

Virality range and Social Media Algorithms:

Social Media is a giant game of telephone, I mean they work on aspects that get the most likes and shares. But this doesn't promise that the spread of information is the optimized truth. Back in 2016, a post related to the Zika virus contained misinformation, but it claimed over 5,30,000 views and Nineteen thousand six hundred shares.

Well, if you need to secure your home from these disease spreading mosquito's consider getting your home protected with the presence of mosquito mesh.

Confirmation Bias and Echo Chamber:

Misinformation and Disinformation pose a potential risk when it comes to public health. Let's take the COVID-19 Pandemic for instance, the misinformation about vaccine hesitancy, and unproven treatments not only affected economic consequences, they affected the health sector overall.

Public Perception:

Using social media for an active engagement of debates on prior religion, beliefs, and perception remains in hike all the time. But social media seems to work well when it comes to spreading rumors, as we have enclosed this detail already here. This engagement can bulk the information silos, as a result, the contradictory views are shunned while the false beliefs extend.

Vaccine Hesitancy:

The incorrect and unstable information on health information on social media can have a negative impact on both mental health and increase vaccine hesitancy. The misinformation can trigger panic and the access towards healthcare goes a bit unnoticed. 

Combating Misinformation: Strategies

Strategies to Combat Misinformation:

Before I enclose the strategies, I would like to enclose the fact that these are my assumptions that can make a better change, this doesn’t guarantee that we can totally eradicate the misinformation. However here are the effective ways:

Researchers, tech startups/ companies along with Public Health Officials can collaborate to uplift ideas to develop effective strategies.

Promoting Trustworthy Health Information:

And media organizations, at least must focus more on creating quality reports rather than quantity reports. At the same time, the Government and health authorities must prioritize the dissemination of information which are accurate and true to date. By availing the reliable information, the nuisance caused by the misinformation can be eradicated.

The Wrap-Up:

As we are wrapping up we can say social media plays a dual role. Social Media is a powerful tool for information and stays a strong ground for misinformation as well. As we get to hear more health crises like the Zika Virus and its outbreaks, we must critically assess if the information we encounter is a collection of hoaxes or facts. So let’s focus more on accuracy, and facts when we get to see any new news covering public health in our digital interactions.