How to talk to friends who believe in fake data

How to talk to friends who believe in fake data

02.05.2021 

The pandemic is fertile ground for misinformation, but experts say you can keep these at arm’s length by staying calm, verifying information and curbing your social media usage

With the country firmly in the throes of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, there are several theories doing the grounds, many of them incorrect. Be it over wearing masks, vaccination, or even safety and distancing guidelines, some bizarre theories are spreading, especially on social media. Experts offer tips on how to engage with friends who happen to believe in these:

Listen, don’t preach

Believers of conspiracy theories aren’t likely to be swayed by people who mock their views. So, instead of lecturing, try to listen and ask questions about how they became interested in the theory. Once they start talking to you, ask them if they’ve considered any other explanations. Whenever possible, have the conversation offline.

Stay calm

Arguing is only likely to result in higher blood pressure for both parties, while resolving nothing. Just remember that some people won’t change their minds, no matter what you say.

Change the subject

When you see your words aren’t having the desired effect, change the topic. If they still insist on continuing, politely say you’d rather talk about something else.

Inform yourself

Fact checking while talking to friends is one thing, but it’s equally important to increase your own defences. To do this, expand your content diet and check your sources.

Verify the claims

Check a variety of news sources, including mainstream local, national and international outlets. Trusted news organisations are your best defence against misinformation. Be especially wary of social media. Also, while perusing content, check who wrote it and who is quoted in it. Are the people named reputable? Do they have a position, or experience, that lends credibility to their claims? Are any other viewpoints expressed in the article? Be wary of claims made by anonymous insiders or hearsay being cited as fact. Also check the dates. Misinformation peddlers often post old photos or news stories and claim it is fresh news.

The emotional pitch

Be wary of content that plays on emotions. Misinformation and conspiracy theories often exploit anger, fear or other emotions. Be cautious of content that features strongly emotional language, or which seems intended to make you outraged. If you read something that gets you fired up, wait until your emotions have cooled before reposting it or sending it to your friends.

Be wary

If you read something that makes an incredible claim, or something that seems too good to be true, check to see if it’s being reported elsewhere. If it’s important news, other outlets will soon confirm the details. Be cautious of explosive claims, especially if they’re only being made on one platform.

— AP