The Negative Effects of Misinformation on Social Media During The COVID-19 Pandemic

By /

The Negative Effects of Misinformation on Social Media During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Bhavya Malhotra

Biography

Bhavya Malhotra is a fourth-year student studying Professional Communication at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has also completed a certificate in Human Resource Management. Bhavya currently works as the Communications Coordinator for Media Architecture Biennale 2023 and as a Marketing and Communications Assistant for The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Research Summary

The coronavirus (COVID-19) disease spread an overwhelming amount of misinformation worldwide, which fostered an untrustworthy and uncertain environment. This was problematic as it affected many people’s lives in different ways. For this theory-based study, a framework was developed to examine how social media misinformation negatively affected trust, uncertainty, and well-being. Overall, the results of the study indicate a strong link between COVID-19 misinformation on social media fostering distrust, uncertainty, and a decrease in well-being. By analyzing the phenomenon of misinformation on social media, it was possible to observe that an overload of inaccurate information can also cause vulnerability, stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological disorders. In general, combating COVID-19 misinformation cannot be overcome individually. Instead, scholars, health professionals, government officials, and citizens must work together to prevent misinformation from spreading on these channels.

Tags

Covid-19, Communication, Social Media

Lightning Talk

Scroll to Top