It can be very tricky to approach a loved one or a friend and ask them not to share false information online. Will you hurt their feelings? Will they be offended and never speak to you again? Will you become the target of their wrath on Facebook because they have no filters when it comes to what is appropriate to share? What type of relationship do you have with them and will this affect it? Is the information being shared dangerous to someone’s health or safety? These questions come to mind when thinking about the issue.
It would seem like this is a modern problem, but people have been sharing urban myths and folklore throughout history. Vampires, werewolves, and ghosts began as stories villagers would tell each other. Aliens and conspiracy theories are part of current folklore. But when do harmless stories become harmful misinformation? You might look at someone funny if they say they saw a UFO but would probably not dispute it even if you do not believe them. But there are potentially dangerous theories perpetuated through social media that could cause harm apart from being false. Many people have strong beliefs in these theories and will not change their mind even if confronted by a loved one.
I have an older half-sister who recently retired as a nurse. I now see posts on Facebook from her that are critical of vaccination. This is a topic that gets people riled up on both sides. It seems as though the question of whether vaccines cause autism has been settled, but there are still many people, who seem otherwise level-headed, who insist that they not only cause it but a host of other health problems. But in a debate, they are adamant that the government and “Big Pharma” are covering up the facts. How do you argue with a belief?
If she and I were closer as sisters, I would probably start with a question: What made her feel this way about vaccines? Depending on the answer, I could follow up with other questions, such as where she found her information and whether she has read any of the medical research. These questions will probably tell me whether she is open to hearing other perspectives on the issue or if she will be closed-minded. But if I feel like the conversation would damage our relationship, even though we are not very close, I will let it go.
