Sarah Carpenter, Opinion Editor—
In recent years, misinformation has become an ever-increasing threat to the fabric of society. In a time where we live through “unprecedented” events every day, finding accurate and reliable information is imperative. Although vast amounts of information is readily available at our fingertips, it is easier than ever to spread misleading and inaccurate information to millions across the globe. As “discerning moral agents” it is critical that we seek out the truth through credible, evidence based resources.
Each one of us experienced first-hand the consequences of misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. From the beginning, there was a flood of false and misleading information about the virus, including conspiracy theories about the origin of the virus, false claims about the effectiveness of certain treatments, and misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. As a result, many lost faith in the credibility of various health organizations and were distrusting of evidence backed facts. Many Americans did not take the necessary steps to protect themselves, prolonging the pandemic and further emphasizing the need for credible information.
More recently; however, has been the spread of information regarding the East Palestine train derailment, which happened only 150 miles away from Denison’s campus. Only a few days ago I heard two students having a conversation about the disaster, in which one claimed that the derailment could have easily been prevented through a regulation requiring electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on highly flammable trains. Although seemingly a valid argument, the source that the student cited in their argument was none other than TikTok. Upon further research, I found that the regulation in question would only apply to high hazard flammable trains. The train that derailed was classified as a mixed freight train, meaning it would not have had the aforementioned brakes even with the regulation in place. Anyone can fall victim to misinformation, and this is a perfect example. Had I listened to what they were saying without doing my own research, I would have believed them and unknowingly contributed to the perpetuation of inaccurate claims.
In many cases, false and misleading information is often deliberately spread by individuals or groups with a specific agenda. These individuals or groups have a vested interest in promoting a certain viewpoint or ideology, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. This can include anything from creating fake news stories to utilizing social media outlets to falsify data. These groups capitalize on the fear and uncertainty of people to further their own agenda, and it is our job to disarm them.
It is important to acknowledge that the problem of misinformation is complex and multifaceted and that there is no one easy solution; however, we can all take small steps to fight against false information. Because I am only a student at a small liberal arts college, I want to plead to you to use the critical thinking skills that our prestigious college teaches you. Although social media is a great way to share information when used correctly, make sure you look into things. A simple internet search can tell you whether the information you have received is false or not. I beg you to take five minutes out of your day to fact-check the information you get during your morning TikTok scroll or Twitter feed check.
Misinformation has become a pervasive problem in today’s digital age and with it come dire consequences. At its worst, it can put people’s lives at risk. For example, misinformation about vaccines or treatments can lead people to make harmful decisions about their health. In politics, it can undermine public trust in institutions and fuel conspiracy theories, leading to social unrest. Stopping the spread of misinformation starts with each of us, so I ask you to be part of the solution to build a more informed, knowledgeable, and engaged world.