Misinformation and Disinformation: The Potential Disadvantages of Social Media in Infectious Disease and How to Combat Them

Although the use of social media to spread misinformation and disinformation is not a new concept, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has further highlighted the dangers that misinformation can pose to public health. More than two-thirds of Americans receive their news from at least 1 social media outlet, most of which do not undergo the same review process as academic journals and some professional news organizations. Unfortunately, this can lead to inaccurate health information being conveyed as truth. The purpose of this article is to inform the infectious diseases community of the history and dangers of health misinformation and disinformation in social media, present tools for identifying and responding to misinformation, and propose other ethical considerations for social media.

Automated summary

The use of social media to spread misinformation and disinformation can pose significant dangers to public health, especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Unlike academic journals and professional news organizations, social media platforms often lack a rigorous review process, leading to the dissemination of inaccurate health information. This article aims to inform the infectious diseases community about the history and dangers of health misinformation and disinformation in social media, provide tools for identifying and responding to misinformation, and propose ethical considerations for social media use.