The fake news that is disseminated through the Internet continues to increase, and is especially harmful in areas such as nutrition and health. From PromoFarma they have prepared a decalogue to know how to identify hoaxes and be able to avoid them.
We live surrounded by information, where the Internet is the main source for many consumers worldwide, especially in the younger generations.
In this way, we are increasingly exposed to the consumption of news with false content.
The growing appearance of certain figures in the networks such as the “citizen journalist”, where it is the citizens themselves who become informants, and of the influencershave only led to the increase in the well-known fake news.
According to the data released by Statesmanthe percentage of the population that consumed false news in the world in 2022 was 71%and the percentage of people who worried about the use of false information as a weapon in the world, reached the 76%being social networks the least reliable means of communication worldwide.
EFE/ Paolo AguilarHealth and food content on the internet: Look at these 10 things
Even though that him 64% of the citizens of the European Union feel quite confident in their ability to recognize disinformation, it does not hurt to be aware of the large number of fake news that circulate, since they are increasingly common.
Las fake news They are present in practically all sectors, but they are especially harmful in areas such as nutrition, health, cosmetics and self-care.
For this reason, Mar Santamaria, Head of Pharmaceutical Care at PromoFarma by DocMorrisproposes a decalogue of questions that you should ask yourself to avoid the hoaxes that circulate on the internet and on social networks.
Since “when faced with news or information on health and nutrition it is very easy to fall into the trap of hoaxes or fake news“, says Mar Santamaria.
1. Should I accept everything I read as good?
Not everything that circulates on the internet is true. Therefore, analyze the information and compare it with others before accepting it as valid.
2. Is it relevant information for me?
Be selective with the content you consume. Many times social networks “hook” us to certain content that is not really useful to us.
According to the expert, “disengaging” is not easy due to the fear of missing something in the context of the networks, but think about it, and if it is empty content for you, do not hesitate and pass it by.
3. Can I identify the source of the information?
This is one of the most important aspects, since if it is not indicated who is issuing the message, it must convey a certain amount of mistrust.
4. What degree of credibility does the source or sender of the message have?
In the event that it is mentioned where or by whom the information comes from, the next thing we should look at are their credentials, according to the head of PromoFarma.
Is he/she a professional with a known track record or one that can be investigated? Is it a company? What reputation do you have? Is the corporate website in question accredited and/or does it have content supervised by experts?
5. On which channel am I reading or viewing it?
An Instagram “meme” is not the same as an article in a prestigious magazine.
On social networks there is a lot of “impact and rapid consumption” content, which is directly proportional to “little contrasted” content, so we must pay attention to established media.
6. Is the headline alarming or overly categorical?
“If you see that the information creates a great sense of alarm or is presented as an indisputable revelation, run. Not everything is worth a click ”, she points out.
7. Does the information raise other alternative opinions?
If the information that is issued leaves the door open to other tests or admits its own limitations, then we are on the right track.
“You have to flee from rigid and immovable positions, because they are the most dangerous,” says Mar Santamaria.
8. Are references given to contrast the information?
If links are provided to websites of reference institutions in the health or food field (or articles or scientific publications), we can look at the content, a priori, with good eyes.
9. Can I compare it with a reference professional?
“Health professionals are always in a good disposition to review and explain what causes concern,” he clarifies.
10. Do I need to use a bouncing tool?
The specialist mentions that there are numerous initiatives such as links, Apps and resources created by expert professionals in order to “hunt” hoaxes.
points the web Nutrimedia in the field of nutrition, and the program VaccineCheck of the Official Council of Colleges of Pharmacists and the EFE Agencywhich denies fake news about vaccines.
An extra tip!
If in the end you come to the conclusion that you are being deceived or have doubts, avoid sharing the content!
Hoaxes spread very quickly, so if you don’t share it, you contribute to reducing the infoxication.