[ad_1]
David Cheskin / Zuma
Medical experts warn that the Internet could make us sicker, pointing out that research has shown that the role of online platforms in stimulating opponents of vaccination and their baseless theories fueled epidemics of infectious diseases across the globe. world.
Two researchers from the University of Stirling, Scotland, published last year a conclusive study, based on data from January 2011 to August 2017, that there were "statistically significant positive correlations" between the use of anti-vaccination research terms and lowering the vaccination rate, suggesting that online anti-vaxxer activity has real and potentially life-threatening consequences.
Amaryllis Mavragani, one of the authors of the study, told Mother Jones about the observation of anti-vaccination groups on Facebook, claiming that she was increasingly frustrated with the ease with which incorrect information is transmitted. She believes that internet platforms such as Facebook are helping to reduce the number of immunizations targeting diseases such as measles and allow new outbreaks.
In 2005, Dr. Richard K. Zimmerman, a physician and associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, wrote a strangely cautious article for the Journal of Medical Internet Research warning that misinformation online could cause more people to get sick. "With the rise of the Internet as a source of health information, an unsophisticated or poorly educated public can accept [claims critical of vaccines] and refuse to vaccinate their children, "he wrote. "As this happens, the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases is expected to increase."
Looking back at the paper, while social media and video broadcasting were still in their infancy, Zimmerman now claims that this misinformation was spreading even faster than he had imagined. In an interview with Mother Jones Last week, Zimmerman pointed out that since the publication of his article, vaccination rates have actually dropped, while cases of measles, a highly infectious disease whose spread is prevented by a highly immunized population, have increased.
Before the Internet, misinformation about vaccines usually required direct communication between individuals. "The Internet allows people to create groups without being confined to a physical community, unlike before. I certainly think that social media like Facebook can even speed that up, "Zimmerman said. "There are other ways to communicate these messages, but I think most of them are on the Internet. I do not think that's the only way, but even if it's not, a person on the playground can say, "Hey, I saw what was going on with Facebook vaccines," and things can also be spread in this way. "
Although epidemiologists and other researchers have worked hard to definitively establish a causal link between the proliferation of anti-vaxxer Internet communities and real-world epidemics, many experts have no doubt that Online misinformation is fueling epidemics.
Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, agrees that the spread of misinformation about vaccines has been compounded by Facebook and the anti-vaccination groups it hosts. But she added that it is difficult to slow the misinformation on vaccination and stressed that she did not blame society. "I think Facebook cares about that," she said. "There is not an easy answer, though."
Citing issues of freedom of expression, Swanson has expressed concern over the repression of these types of groups, suggesting instead that the platform can work to offer counter-information from qualified doctors by raising correct information. in his algorithm.
Counter-information is an effective antidote against misinformation has been debated in many contexts. (Facebook's efforts to remove "false information" by strengthening trusted publishers have already been lacking.) But such an approach further complicates such an approach on the subject of vaccines: the insignificant amount of user-generated content, which makes it a sure and useful argument.
"On all platforms, the dominant form of vaccine-related content is anti-vaxx," said Renee Diresta, a social media researcher with Internet security firm New Knowledge, who explored the flow of this content on the Internet. . "There is an asymmetry of passion around this subject. Most people do not produce favorable summaries for vaccination … they simply vaccinate their children and continue their day. "
In addition to being a hub for false information about vaccinations, Facebook has been used by anti-vaxxers to target groups vulnerable to misinformation. Facebook allows advertisers to target 900,000 users interested in "vaccine controversies", according to a recent guardian report. Last week, the Daily Beast reported that the platform allows advertisers specifically target women "Interested in Pregnancy" and published an analysis of Facebook ads purchased by several anti-vaccination pages showing that they "overwhelmingly targeted" women over 25 – a demographic rich in new and likely mothers .
On Thursday, Facebook said it was exploring potential solutions to limit the spread of anti-vaccination information on its platform as a result of reports in the media. guardian detailing the pressures exerted by the medical community and a related letter from Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
"We have taken steps to reduce the spread of misinformation about health on Facebook, but we know we still have a lot to do. We are currently working on additional changes that we will announce soon, "said a spokesman for Facebook. Mother Jones in an email. The company said it plans to remove content and anti-vaccination groups from its algorithm-based recommendations.
YouTube recently announced that it has changed its algorithm to recommend videos with conspiracy and misleading information less frequently. a spokesman for the company said Mother Jones the effort would include at least some videos of vaccines. The spokesman said the company is working on prioritizing content from "credible sources of information" and providing more context from external references such as Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica around videos with subjects often targeted by misinformation, including vaccination.
While most platforms have so far hesitated to completely suppress anti-vaccine content, others, such as Pinterest and Medium, have decided to do so.
Medium confirmed to Mother Jones Although he has no specific policy on anti-vaccination information, he has deleted some related posts. Pinterest takes a more aggressive approach.
A spokesperson explained Pinterest's policy banning "advice that has immediate and detrimental effects on a Pinner's health or public safety," including "promoting false treatments for terminal or chronic diseases and anti-vaccination advice ".
"We recognize the important role that vaccines play in personal and public health, which is why it is our policy to remove anti-vaccination and other false health information from our platform," he said. the spokesperson. "We want Pinterest to be an inspiring place for people. We know that it does not happen alone. That's why we continue to fight harmful content on our platform. "
[ad_2]
Source link