Most social media influencers don’t check sources before sharing info: Report

IN THIS DAY AND AGE – PEOPLE TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EVERYTHING FROM MAKEUP AND HAIR TIPS TO GETTING THEIR NEWS.

NOW, AN ALARMING NEW UNITED NATIONS STUDY IS HIGHLIGHTING WHY YOU SHOULDN’T LET INFLUENCERS… INFLUENCE WHAT YOU THINK TOO MUCH.

IT’S BEEN REPORTED 1 IN 5 AMERICANS SAY THEY GET THEIR NEWS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, ACCORDING TO A NEW PEW RESEARCH POLL…

BUT THE U-N SURVEY FOUND TWO OUT OF THREE DIGITAL CONTENT CREATORS SAY THEY DO NOT VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION BEFORE THEY SHARE IT.

AND ABOUT A THIRD OF THEM SAID THEY’D SHARE CONTENT WITHOUT CHECKING IT, IF THAT CONTENT CAME FROM A SOURCE OR CREATOR THEY TRUST.

FOUR OUT OF TEN INFLUENCERS SAID THEY USE POPULARITY TO JUDGE THE CREDIBILITY OF ONLINE SOURCES.

AND ONE IN FIVE USED DOCUMENTATION OR EVIDENCE TO DETERMINE CREDIBILITY.

THE U-N’S REPORT SAYS ONLINE INFLUENCERS NEED “URGENT” HELP CHECKING THEIR FACTS BEFORE THEY PASS THEM ON TO FOLLOWERS – TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF MIS- AND DISINFORMATION.

TO HELP – UNESCO TEAMED UP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS’ KNIGHT CENTER FOR JOURNALISM TO OFFER A FREE ONLINE COURSE IN “HOW TO BE A TRUSTED VOICE ONLINE.

THE MONTH-LONG COURSE INCLUDES LESSONS ON FACTCHECKING AND CREATING CONTENT ABOUT ELECTIONS OR CRISES.

UNESCO SAID NINE-THOUSAND INFLUENCERS HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR THE COURSE.

HERE AT STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS – WE DO CHECK OUR FACTS.

TO GET ALL YOUR LATEST UNBIASED HEADLINES FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE JUST DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.