02: The Role of Social Media Misinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, some communities in Texas, USA, faced vaccine hesitancy issues due to misleading information about vaccine safety and efficacy spread through social media. Due to miscommunication and conflicting messages issued by different branches of government and public officials creating uncertainty and confusion, such social media posts got greater platform and influence. They were amplified by the social media algorithms.
Individual outcomes
Vaccine hesitancy impacts individuals by increasing vulnerability to illness and contributing to health anxiety, leading to uninformed health decisions.
Societal outcomes
Societally, it can lead to public health crises, strain healthcare systems, and hinder herd immunity efforts, necessitating a societal commitment to clear, evidence-based health communication, and conflict in personal relationships.
Competences involved in this scenario:
Social systems affected by this scenario:
M8. Evaluation of contradicting information
D4. Detection of digital deception
S4. Official and unofficial sources
Public Health Systems
Healthcare Providers
Media
Government