Thread by @burlingtonpd

Warning - In this time of #pandemic we are also having an #infodemic

Do everyone a HUGE favor - stop spreading misinformation & disinformation!

Lt. Mills has studied social media & disinformation for several years & has some advice on keeping bad information from "going viral"

#misinformation comes from people who mean well but share things that are untrue.

#disinformation is false information coming from people with bad intentions. Some of these people are systematically targeting Americans from overseas.

Think about the term, "Going Viral" - this is often attributed to harmless and even positive things like cute puppy videos. That video or story spreads from one person to the next just as a virus is transmitted.

Sadly, bad information can be spread exactly like a virus as well.

Each day of this pandemic leaves us in a highly vulnerable state to catch & spread false information "viruses"

You should inoculate yourself, your friends & family from this #infodemic by learning two things:

1. Recognizing misinformation & disinformation

2. How to respond

Should you go into an information quarantine or isolation?

No

Just learn to recognize false stories & be responsible.

Every story that frightens you coming from an unknown source right now should be questioned at length and nothing should be believed as true until verified.

There are a number of ways to learn about mis & disinformation & how to detect it.

Take a few simple steps. The S-I-F-T model is a good one infodemic.blog

1. Stop
2. Investigate the source
3. Find Better Coverage
4. Trace claims, quotes & media to the original context

Disinfo works a lot like a scam. Scams are designed to catch you off guard to take your money. Scams are also a great danger right now.

Disinfo is designed to catch you off guard and instead of taking your money, it is designed for you to get scared and help spread fear.

Just like a virus, you can "catch" fear - if you aren't careful, you can easily become a vector & spread it.

Here's a silly example:

Think of COVID-19 stories like a tissue.

Someone holds out a tissue box - you pull a clean tissue from that box - that's like a reliable source.

On the other hand, if someone pulls a crumpled up tissue from their pocket and tries to hand it to you, you don't really feel all that great about taking it - that is like a story from social media.

Some COVID-19 stories are like a crumpled up used tissue you would never touch.

#StopPassingAroundSnottyTissues

OK - enough silly analogies

Stop when you see a COVID-19 related story from an untrusted source.

Instead of taking it at face value and quickly forwarding to everyone you know to warn them ask instead,

"Where did this story come from?"

You don't need to be a detective or highly skilled analyst or cyber-sleuth to figure this out.

Try @Google Google and look it up. Is it on a reliable website like the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, Mass DPH or @Burlington_BOH ?

You might find it started as a joke, on a counterfeit news website or a rumor.

Any story that starts with, "I heard" should trip alarm bells.

Any story that is relaying information from another party - ex: My friend is a doctor, general, nurse, secret agent, etc... should be suspect.

Anything regarding, "Marshall Law", looting, secret camps or bases, rounding people up, taking away food, denying rights or taking away guns is very likely "clickbait" designed for you to read it, get scared and share it.

Investigate and then find a better source

When you trace these claims, quotes and videos back to their sources you will often be able to understand how they made it to you.

If you verify something as true then go ahead and share it. If you know it isn't or you aren't sure then dig some more.

Once you learn to think critically and recognize misinformation and disinformation you can then help your friends & family by getting them to do the same.

Don't argue & fight with people who believe stupid & crazy things.

Instead, ask them for their source and encourage them to question the inconsistencies in the story and to try to verify it with a reliable news source.

BTW: Some guy doing a podcast in his basement, conspiracy theory sites and Russian news outlets are NOT reliable news sources.

If you have any questions on this please reach out to us.

If you are even thinking about asking us if something is not true, it probably isn't true. Just do some more research.

If martial law, secret plans, secret camps, germ warfare or aliens are coming we will let you know.