It’s been a heart-breaking few weeks. As news continues to come out of Israel and Gaza, we’re hearing detailed accounts of terrible violence and loss of life. It’s a dark time—and your social media feeds are probably inundated with all sorts of graphic images of the conflict. But then again, are they really images of the conflict?
Maybe the images that are flooding your feed are actually visuals lifted from a video game. Or footage of a fireworks display. Or behind-the-scenes shots from a film set. These are just a few examples of the misleading posts that have been circulating online.
The fact is that social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) have been cultivating the perfect climate for misinformation and disinformation to flourish, so it’s no surprise that this kind of content is multiplying.
The unfolding crisis in the Middle East, and the proliferation of fake and misleading content accompanying it, is perhaps our first large-scale taste of what’s to come for social media. The spread of disinformation can be considered a crisis in its own right because so many people rely on these platforms for news.
Back in February 2023, Statisa surveyed adults in select countries around the world and found that a majority of respondents used social networks to keep up with current affairs. It’s also true that most people don’t consider social media to be a trustworthy news source, but nonetheless, we continue to consume it for that purpose. And whether we’re wary of the platforms or not, what we’re exposed to when we scroll shapes the way we see the world. That’s precisely why misinformation and disinformation are so insidious. And because it’s so easy to create and disseminate, we’re seeing this kind of content at scale.
The leadership behind these social media platforms likes to remind us that they’re committed to trust and safety. They tell us they’re working hard to combat misinformation and they quote lines in their Terms of Service that prohibit that kind of content. But these companies have been gutting their trust and safety teams and rolling back features intended to curb disinformation for a long time now.
The situation at X is particularly dire, especially for a platform that used to be the go-to space for real-time information. Casey Newton captured it well in his newsletter when he said, “This is a system designed to cause chaos in the information environment, and it is working by design.” In the absence of robust strategies to combat this kind of thing, it goes unchecked. It’s a lopsided game of whack-a-mole, and the misinformation is gaining ground.
So, we’re in a bit of a tricky spot. We might not trust what we see on social media—but we can’t seem to look away. For parents, this makes conversations about media literacy a lot more urgent. When platforms are inundated with misinformation and disinformation, kids are likely to encounter it. But at the rate that it’s increasing, I can’t help but feel like things are unraveling for these companies.
If things don’t change, we’ll soon be at the point where you can’t trust anything you see in these digital spaces. We might be there already. I wonder how much longer people will see the value in platforms like this. Critics allege that the amount of misinformation online right now is obscuring the truth. It’s making it harder to figure out what’s happening on the ground—which is wild for platforms that once positioned themselves as powerful tools to democratize information and go-to sources on current events.
Imran Ahmed, the head of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, has said that the war between Israel and Hamas has become an “inflection point” for social platforms. Misleading and disingenuous posts have crowded out the truth and eroded the utility these sites once had. Now, according to Ahmed, “Social media should not be trusted for information — full stop. You cannot trust what you see on social media.” And without trust, it’s harder to see these platforms as useful.
I always talk about how kids deserve the best of the digital world. They need access to platforms that are designed to keep them safe, connect them with loved ones, spur their creativity and inspire them to find their passions. If platforms are flooded with violent, divisive and downright dishonest content, that falls dramatically short of the promise of technology.
A deeper dive
Here are a few helpful resources in case you want to really dig into today's topic:
So, what can we do to help our families navigate all the questionable content out there? This guide has step-by-step instructions to avoid falling for misinformation, as well as limiting sensitive content in your feed.
You might be wondering where all this misinformation and disinformation is coming from. Well, at least some of the misleading content has been traced back to accounts associated with Russian operatives or the Wagner Group.
TL;DR
Too long; didn't read. It shouldn't be a full-time job to keep up on industry news, so here is a mercifully quick summary of some other notable developments:
If you see Tom Hanks hawking a dental plan on the internet, be warned: it’s not Tom Hanks at all, but an AI-generated likeness. The actor posted a video on his social channels warning people that it wasn’t him, but so far, news outlets haven’t been able to find evidence of the video online.
The state of Utah is suing TikTok. The Division of Consumer Protection alleges that the “app’s “addictive nature” harms children and that TikTok deceptively obscures its relationship with ByteDance, its parent company in China.” You can add this lawsuit to the pile, along with other states like Maryland and Indiana.
And lastly
Here are a few more pieces of original writing from me and my team—just in case you're keen for more:
When you’re trying to stay connected with far-away family, messaging platforms can be a major life-saver. But, not all of them are designed to keep children safe‚ and some put kids in harm’s way. Here’s a piece from my teamexplaining why kids need an alternative to WhatsApp.
Smartwatches are a popular way to stay connected, keep track of fitness goals—and tell the time, but are they a good idea for kids? My team put together this parent’s guide with the pros and cons.