By Gabriel Cruz
Prior to the Internet’s existence, I would argue that misinformation about socio-political issues were much less rampant and pronounced than today’s discourse, as there was no widespread platform for bigotry or prejudice to be reaffirmed and spread. However, with the onset of social media and other platforms, I feel as if “fake news” or other forms of misinformation regarding science, politics, or other aspects of society have become more radicalized and dangerous. Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram allow already misinformed groups to reach out to one another and reaffirm their own ideas, which leads to the radicalization of ideas. The most infamous instance of widespread misinformation in recent years has been the COVID-19 vaccine and discourse surrounding the pandemic on social media.
I have a relative who embodies the stereotypical right-wing anti-vaxxer, claiming that the vaccine is not reliable or safe in any way, and that the “liberal agenda” has us poisoning ourselves and our youth with untested chemicals. She is also heavily against the vaccine as a mandate, once again pointing to the unconstitutional schemes of the far left. She would often text the family group chat and share links to Facebook articles from Fox News or other conservative news outlets that allegedly prove that the vaccine is a threat to public health and safety, noting instances where people died or experienced adverse effects after taking the vaccine. For example, she ranted about how her coworker was sick for two consecutive weeks after taking the Pfizer vaccine. This even caused a dramatic scene at an extended family dinner in which she heavily criticized and scolded my cousins, who were nurses, for getting the vaccine. This has caused a rift in my family, as my relative now believes we’re “lost causes” for getting vaccinated.
Vaccine misinformation has continued to grow and spread on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, allowing radicalized ideologies and beliefs to seep into family dynamics. I believe that this phenomenon has ruined many relationships, including the relationships between members of my own extended family. Due to this, I now hold Facebook and other social media platforms responsible for the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially after an alleged whistleblower revealed that Facebook intentionally publishes articles that amplify hate and political unrest through misinformation and misleading titles. Ultimately, whether the allegations about Facebook are true or not, social media provides the bigoted and misinformed with a platform to consolidate their ideas, which strengthens the presence of fake news in our media consumption.
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