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Everyday I receive messages asking how to talk to a loved one who has fallen into harmful online conspiracy theories - from those about the pandemic and vaccines to ones about rigged elections and QAnon.
Here’s my advice from reporting on their victims
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/blogs-trending-54738471
Here’s my advice from reporting on their victims
https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/blogs-trending-54738471
There is a difference between those who deliberately spread falsehoods online - and those who they pray upon.
They too can be casualties of this disinformation ecosystem - like Brian who lost his wife having believed misleading posts about coronavirus. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-55355911
They too can be casualties of this disinformation ecosystem - like Brian who lost his wife having believed misleading posts about coronavirus. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-55355911
When I interviewed Sebastian, whose mum is a leader of the UK's conspiracy community, he recommended asking questions - rather than just presenting correct information.
How would this be possible? Why would someone want to do this?
And not giving up. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-54669239
How would this be possible? Why would someone want to do this?
And not giving up. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-54669239
Empathy is crucial.
People often turn conspiracy theories because they are looking for answers, they are justifiably mistrustful, they have legitimate concerns, they are isolated.
Confrontation tends to be less helpful.
I explain more here: https://twitter.com/mariannaspring/status/1339852856606810112?s=20
People often turn conspiracy theories because they are looking for answers, they are justifiably mistrustful, they have legitimate concerns, they are isolated.
Confrontation tends to be less helpful.
I explain more here: https://twitter.com/mariannaspring/status/1339852856606810112?s=20
Candy - who I interviewed for this report - is lovely, curious, clever.
She still believes US Election was rigged because of false claims and conspiracies that have bombarded her social media feed for months.
Conspiracies designed to exploit her fears. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-55009950
She still believes US Election was rigged because of false claims and conspiracies that have bombarded her social media feed for months.
Conspiracies designed to exploit her fears. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-55009950
For this article I spoke to psychologists, fact-checkers and those who used to believe online conspiracy theories from some top tips.
Keep calm, don't dismiss, encourage critical thinking, don't expect immediate results. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-55350794
Keep calm, don't dismiss, encourage critical thinking, don't expect immediate results. https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-55350794
Reveal how disinformation spreads online.
For this report, I investigated how one woman's feet were used as antivaxx propaganda online.
Since then I've interviewed those impacted by disinfo like this - exploiting legitimate concerns about the vaccine. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-55179300
For this report, I investigated how one woman's feet were used as antivaxx propaganda online.
Since then I've interviewed those impacted by disinfo like this - exploiting legitimate concerns about the vaccine. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-55179300
