Facebook Messenger is launching a new program to curb the spread of coronavirus misinformation on social media. The messaging platform's new COVID-19 Community Hub not only helps people connect online but also help verify information concerning the disease.
The Messenger Coronavirus Community Hub will provide millions of users accurate data from trusted sources, such as UNICEF, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization. It's the newest go-to for people who want to avoid online scams relating to the pandemic.
Messenger's efforts in launching the program on its platform are due to the fact that there's been an increase in usage since the outbreak. According to Stan Chudnovsky, VP of Messenger, people are spending more time on video calls and global usage has soared to 70% more.
Social media platforms are taking advantage of this huge spike in activity and are directing people to accurate sources of information to combat misconceptions about COVID-19. Facebook on Wednesday said that it has already pointed more than 1 billion netizens to organizations and resources that provide credible news about the disease. Additionally, the social media giant reported that it had successfully urged 100 million people to click its pop-ups to learn more about the pandemic.
Facebook's report is a good indication that users are actually reading information and not merely scrolling through them. That means the company's efforts are working to combat misinformation on social media, which is a disease as much as COVID-19 is. Over 2 billion people use Facebook and its other platforms on a daily basis, including WhatsApp and Instagram, so reading posts that contain messages like "COVID-19 can be cured by drinking bleach" or the "coronavirus is caused by 5G" is flat-out disturbing and may even cause fatalities.
Facebook and Instagram continue to show users pop-up in their News Feed, directing them to accurate information online, especially in areas heavily affected by the coronavirus. The social media networks are also showing this information when they search for COVID-19.
Facebook last week also rolled out a new coronavirus information center at the top of users' News Feed, which shows various articles containing important data and tips to stay healthy, such as social distancing, the proper way of washing hands, and more.
Social media platforms continue to fight misinformation in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It's important to be knowledgable in these crucial times, especially that a cure is still not available.
