Social media is fighting coronavirus, or more precisely, disinformation about it. Unfortunately, for many people the pandemic is a pretext for gaining more followers or promoting product sales. Social media giants, having learned from experience, are reacting immediately.
Facebook blocks mask ads
Mark Zuckerberg announces on his profile in the service the actions they are taking in connection with the coronavirus. Ads for disposable masks will be blocked by the company. Facebook displays ads with recommendations and links to the World Health Organization website. Moreover, all posts containing false information identified by WHO will be flagged. Furthermore, Mark emphasizes Facebook's mission of connecting people. In this particular period, when we should spend more time at home, the service is meant to provide us with contact with others and minimize the feeling of loneliness.
Twitter and Instagram are heading in the same direction. On Instagram, #coronavirus has already been used almost 2,000,000 times. It does not appear as a suggestion in searches when the phrase is typed. After entering it in the search engine, a notification appears informing about a reliable source of information with a redirect to the WHO website.
Twitter with official announcements
Twitter also displays a box redirecting to the ministry's website when searching for the phrase "coronavirus." From this platform, we can also learn most quickly about new coronavirus infections in Poland. On the profile of the Ministry of Health (@MZ_GOV_PL), the latest information is announced on an ongoing basis.
YouTube
YouTube blocks monetization
YouTube has blocked the possibility of monetizing all videos posted on the service concerning the coronavirus. Meanwhile, after entering the phrase "coronavirus," almost exclusively materials from various news stations' channels appear. Influencers are not allowed into this topic. This type of action is intended to minimize the possibility of profiting from a tragedy.
Coronavirus in social media: how platforms fight for credibility
Coronavirus in social media: how platforms fight for credibility
Platforms are aware of the responsibility that rests on them. They try to facilitate the flow of reliable information and ensure that messages broadcast by authorities reach people. This is still not an ideal system, and certainly after the crisis situation ends, there will be much discussion about the validity of some of these actions.
You can find certain information about the coronavirus on the following websites:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.gov.pl/web/koronawirus
Summary
Social media giants, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, are actively fighting disinformation about the coronavirus, among other things by blocking mask ads or flagging false posts. They are introducing mechanisms directing users to reliable sources such as WHO, and YouTube is limiting the monetization of pandemic-related content. This shows that platforms feel responsible for the flow of reliable information during a crisis, although after it ends they will probably face a discussion about the validity of these decisions.
