Addressing COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media Preemptively and Responsively.
Emerg Infect Dis
; 27(2): 396-403, 2021 02.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1006450
ABSTRACT
Efforts to address misinformation on social media have special urgency with the emergence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In one effort, the World Health Organization (WHO) designed and publicized shareable infographics to debunk coronavirus myths. We used an experiment to test the efficacy of these infographics, depending on placement and source. We found that exposure to a corrective graphic on social media reduced misperceptions about the science of 1 false COVID-19 prevention strategy but did not affect misperceptions about prevention of COVID-19. Lowered misperceptions about the science persisted >1 week later. These effects were consistent when the graphic was shared by the World Health Organization or by an anonymous Facebook user and when the graphics were shared preemptively or in response to misinformation. Health organizations can and should create and promote shareable graphics to improve public knowledge.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Attitude to Health
/
Consumer Health Information
/
Social Media
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Emerg Infect Dis
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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