Do you feel like your head is going to pop off? I swear if I see one more person confidently posting information that makes no sense on any planet, I’m throwing the towel in on social media.But wait! I love how social media can connect us all. I love 90% of what I see and learn so I won’t throw all that away for the sake of my own sanity during this highly charged political season. I’ll admit it – I get pulled in and distracted from what I really need to be working on – my goals. So, I’m going to fight back the only way I know how. In case you feel the same way here’s what I do.
Staying Grounded in Your Values
Remember who you are. Take a breath – take a moment. The way to do that is to stay grounded in your values. Misinformation and polarizing opinions are everywhere – often spread by our friends and family – sometimes spread by foreign entities that mean our country harm.
Instead of letting them draw you into conflict, focus on what truly matters to you. It’s about being intentional with your energy and choosing to engage in conversations that align with your principles. If someone consistently posts false and misleading information – that’s gonna be an unfollow for me. There are HUGE accounts that do this constantly and I’m calling them out. I recommend we vote with our follows and unfollows. This isn’t about disagreeing on specific issues – that’s cool. This is about what to do when someone is confidently wrong.
Most people aren’t “confidently wrong” on purpose and yet social media is flooded with ridiculousness. Here are 10 suggestions on how to approach the confidently wrong in the wild without getting injured in the process.
Pause and Reflect: Take a moment before reacting. Avoid knee-jerk responses that could escalate the situation. This is a powerful tool to have in your back pocket for everyday life. It’s challenging for me. I was not blessed with a pause button or a filter between my brain and my mouth. I was blessed with a face that tells all. So – I have to practice. You don’t have to be perfect at the pause and reflect – it’s like the bend and snap (yes that is a Legally Blonde reference) it takes practice.
Verify the Information: Cross-check the claims against credible sources, such as reputable news outlets, official websites, or fact-checking organizations. Do President’s control gas prices? How about truly wild claims like someone is coming back from the dead? Do some research before proceeding. I highly recommend following Sharon MaMahon @sharonsayso on Instagram. She shares fantastic run downs on the days events and is known as America’s Government Teacher.
Assess the Intent: Determine whether the misinformation is intentional (e.g., propaganda, trolling) or unintentional (e.g., misunderstanding, lack of knowledge). This can influence how you respond. I’ve gotten into some great discussions with people about difficult topics. I’ve also reached out to people who posted patently incorrect information only to have them ignore or rebuff my reach out. Their response tells me A LOT. We know there are foreign actors strategically spreading misinformation in an attempt to impact our elections. They do this by spreading false information. We can combat that with the good old truth. If someone is simply lacking understanding they will welcome new information. If someone has a nefarious agenda don’t expect them to embrace your kind approach.
Engage Thoughtfully If you decide to respond, do so respectfully. Present your corrected information calmly, using credible sources to back up your points. If you are engaging with someone who’s just posting the latest rumor to get views, influence others regardless of the accuracy of their information or someone who just doesn’t care I’d recommend moving on. That’s another unfollow for me. That behavior doesn’t align with my values.
Provide Sources Include links to trustworthy articles, reports, or studies that correct the misinformation. This adds credibility to your response. I’ll admit when I’ve done this people often come back with “I don’t trust that source.” I understand that and still think it’s important to try to educate someone if they are posting incorrect information confidently.
Avoid Personal Attacks Focus on the information, not the person. Attacking someone personally can shut down constructive dialogue and make them defensive. This is one of my triggers! When a candidate spends 90% of their time criticizing their opponent’s personality, style or lifestyle I’m out. So, I make sure I don’t behave that way online or anywhere else. I’m respectful. I invite you to join me! Let’s return decency, decorum and respect to our discourse. (I’m not trying to make Fetch happen – I’m trying to start a revolution of respect!)
Encourage Critical Thinking Encourage others to research and verify information before accepting it as true. Suggest ways they can fact-check for themselves. Not everyone is ready to hear that what they believe is wrong. If someone believes that the moon is made of milk chocolate, it’s hard to convince them otherwise by just telling them they are wrong. Give people information and time.
Report Misinformation If the misinformation violates platform policies (e.g., spreading false health information), report it to the social media platform. I hate conflict. I don’t relish this option. However, when someone is spreading dangerous information it’s important to report it.
Decide When to Walk Away Some situations aren’t worth the effort, especially if the other party is unwilling to engage in a constructive manner. Protect your peace by knowing when to step away. This is a quick yes when it’s clear someone is just posting or sharing pure junk for attention or for their own benefit. This is hard to do when I believe someone is really misinformed but means well and has an open mind. Only you know when to walk away. Remember there is also a Snooze for 30 days option on Facebook – I use that often!
Educate and Advocate Use the opportunity to educate others about the importance of media literacy and fact-checking. Share resources that help people identify misinformation. Share your favorite source for information. Ask them where they get their news. Maybe you will learn something like I have many times.
Navigating this political season isn’t easy, but with a little patience and a lot of grace, it’s possible to stay true to yourself and your values. Everyday I share a reminder to take a break from scrolling and politics so you can pivot to focusing on what’s really important in your life - if you need help with that follow along!
XO Amy
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