Unsolicited Advice: Try to Avoid FUD and Panicky Shit-Posting [View all]

[MineralMan]

There is a lot of posting out there that is spreading Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt on social media right now, and even here at DU. There's also some seriously panicky deliberately misleading shit-posting going on that is frightening a lot of people.

No question that there is a lot of bad news to take in right now, but not everything you see is reliably accurate or well-meaning. Be very careful not to be frightened out of your wits by craziness you find online. Instead, do this:

1. If something you read seems very scary to you, check the sources of what is being posted. If they are not recognizably reliable sources you trust, wait to see if what is scaring you shows up on those trusted sources as well.

2. Is what you're reading plausible? Did Elon Musk really send you a personal post? I guarantee that he did not. Are the authorities at your front door to arrest you right now? Almost certainly not. If what you're seeing on your social media seems sketchy, then it probably is. Block that person and don't engage.

3. Is someone telling you why he or she is frightened right now on your social media feed or elsewhere? It's certainly possible that that person is frightened, but that doesn't mean you need to be frightened, too. Perhaps, as often happens, that person is misunderstanding something and panicking. All too often, if you come back later, you'll discover that it's all been sorted out. Don't let other people's fear inspire your own fear.

4. Trust the people who have earned your trust. People you don't really know may not be telling you things accurately. In fact, they may have heard something from an even less reliable source and are spreading it as if it were true. Be skeptical and check for yourself, using reliable sources.

5. Use your favorite Internet search tools to investigate things that seem frightening. Click only on links that turn up in the search that you know to be reliable and accurate. Don't go anywhere you don't recognize looking for facts. Odds are you'll find false information at those random sources. Stick with what you know to be reliable.

6. Think before you panic. That's the number one tip to follow. Reason through the information that is scary and see if it make sense. Often, the closer you look, the less sense it will make. Verify before letting fear take over.

Thanks for reading. I hope this helps.