Internet and social media dangerous for disinformation and fake news, say experts

TDT | Manama                                                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com      

Reported by Julia Cassano

At the start of 2023, there were 1.46 million internet users in Bahrain, and as the Kingdom is home to around 1.46 million people, this figure indicates that a total of 98.7 percent of the population were active on social media, according to the latest report from DataReportal.

Why do so many people use social media? The Global DataReportal report claims that “finding information” is the primary reason why people use the internet today. Finding information accounts for 57.8 per cent, staying in touch with friends and family accounts for 53.7 per cent, staying up to date with news and current events accounts for 50.9 per cent, and watching videos accounts for 49.7 per cent.

Whilst the internet and social media can be an outlet or a positive thing for many, the online world also poses grave dangers that users should be aware of. The risk of encountering disinformation or fake news across digital platforms is growing quickly, and it is also becoming more difficult to spot or identify fake news and misinformation.

According to data, more than 40 per cent of news shared on social media was found to be fake, which evidently harms society. Fake news can affect societal values and change opinions on critical issues by reforming and redefining facts and truths that can ultimately divide a society.

Not only can social media be dangerous in terms of fake news, but many users use social media or the internet as an escape from reality. We live in a world where we are exposed to millions of people’s lives, where individuals are choosing wisely what to post, meaning people are taking the best parts of their lives to social media and keeping the negative hidden.