Let's Talk: Facebook's New Efforts to Halt the Spread of COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation [CM 270: Blog Post #2]

By Marriah Boyd

             In March 2020 everything changed. The world stopped… literally. Since that time, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has altered both our daily habits and the way we interact with others. From mask-wearing to social distancing to cancelled Thanksgiving and birthday plans, it is not an understatement to say that for many individuals, the desire for the world to return to the times before the COVID-19 era flames brighter and brighter with the turn of each new month. With the recent worldwide rollouts of COVID-19 vaccinations, it is finally beginning to seem like the current pandemic times are – albeit slowly – ending. However, with the announcement of new vaccines, many are still skeptical. Rumors and false information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine(s) seem to be spreading rapidly over social media and digital platforms. This post looks to examine the ways which one social media giant, Facebook, is attempting to curb the diffusion of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine(s) on its platform.

Image by Marriah Boyd (Created on Canva) 

                One recent article written by Barbara Ortutay of the Associated Press explains what steps Facebook has been, and currently is, taking to control the dissemination of untrue rumors about the vaccine. According to Ortutay’s article, Facebook is claiming to “block the spread of bogus vaccine claims.” Specifically, Facebook plans to ban assertions revolving around ideals that the COVID-19 vaccine is ineffective, harmful, “toxic,” or “cause[s] autism,” Ortutay’s article states. It should be noted though that prior to these new adjustments to posting policies, Facebook had banned the posting of other misinformation regarding side effects of the vaccine, as well as posts about the uselessness of masks, Ortutay mentions. For instance, according to Ortutay’s article, a policy rolled out in fall 2020 by Facebook generally prevented the promotion and posting of advertising aimed at dissuading users from getting vaccinated. However, it is often said that once information is out on the Internet it is difficult to control where it goes and who may see it. Ortutay’s article closes out with an echoing message that rings true; that it remains to be seen if Facebook’s efforts will be successful in ridding its platform of messaging proclaiming false news about the COVID-19 vaccine.  

                As an individual who uses social media platforms like Facebook myself, I know first-hand just how easy it can be to read about something online and proclaim it as truth without researching its veracity. I am hopeful that these new efforts by Facebook will in fact disrupt the unfurling of misleading communication about the vaccine. However, I am also worried that these efforts may come a bit too late. From the first talks of COVID-19 vaccinations in 2020, many individuals who I have personally spoken to have expressed skepticism to get vaccinated. I have also seen individuals in my virtual circles (i.e., who I follow on social media sites) express distrust of the vaccine too. If false vaccine rumors have already spread online, even if briefly, then it may make the groups of individuals who already wary of the vaccine even more so. As we enter a new age of digital news and digital messaging, we – as users and interactors within this digital space – must be sure to verify what we read, report the posts that are untrue, and be investigative of the content that we choose to believe as true. By taking such measures, perhaps we can do our small part to assist in stopping the proliferation of misinformation, too.

What do you think about Facebook’s recent policies aimed at preventing the spread of vaccine-related misinformation on its site? Do you think the policies will be effective? Let me know in the comments below!


For further reading and reference, check out Barbara Ortutay’s article entitled, “Facebook steps up vaccine misinfo efforts. Will it work?” on the Associated Press website here: https://apnews.com/article/misinformation-coronavirus-pandemic-ab976e93147c15945e98a4dba914e121

 

 

 

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