Misinformation Transcends Language Differences and Borders
Learn how to spot it and when to fact check!
Washington State Department of HealthFollow
Jul 13 · 4 min read
Misinformation exists all over the world — in many different forms and languages. It can come from well-intentioned sources, including family members and friends living abroad. Picture this: Your sweet aunt Clarita, in Ecuador, receives a WhatsApp message containing a YouTube video link with inaccurate information about COVID-19 vaccines. She doesn’t know the person in the video or if the information is real, but she forwards the message to her entire contact list. Now, everyone that she knows has the same inaccurate information and can pass it along to others. By the time someone points out that the video contains false information, it may have been shared widely — even across borders. That’s how easy misinformation spreads in this day and age!
Where does misinformation come from?
Anyone with a mobile device or a computer can access a wealth of information with just a couple of clicks. But it can be just as easy for someone with the right tools and technology to create and share inaccurate information. Misinformation can show up on popular channels like Facebook and YouTube, or even common news sites –in any language — that repost information from other sources. Reposted information usually has a sensationalist tone that catches people’s attention.
Word of mouth can be just as misleading. Often, people share opinions that only represent their personal experiences. What one person says or believes might not be accurate under different circumstances or in another location.
How can you spot misinformation?
When you come across COVID-19 vaccine information on the internet, don’t just assume it is true. You should always make sure that it comes from a credible source, like your state or local health department, established medical or educational institutions, or trusted community leaders.
A good way to identify the source of an article is paying attention to its web address. Web addresses that end in .edu or .gov come from trustworthy sources. Sites ending in .edu are published by educational institutions, like universities or research centers. And sites with a .gov address belong to governmental organizations, including public health agencies like DOH or the CDC.
If you can’t find a source or author, consider it a red flag. Also, remember that health information changes frequently, so always check the date to see when the information was last updated.
To learn more, check out our video on how to spot fact vs fiction online.
What is “fact checking” and when should you do it?
Fact checking is exactly what it sounds like — checking information to find out if it is true or not. To be proven true, a statement must come from a credible source. Today, there are over 4.6 billion active internet users worldwide, according to Statista. We post over one trillion megabytes of information on the internet — every day. With so much information circulating across different channels, websites, and news platforms, fact-checking is always a good practice. And, although there’s plenty of helpful information on the internet, there still aren’t many safeguards to ensure information is accurate or credible. Anyone can offer advice or share their opinions online. Always fact check information you hear on social media or internet forums by checking with reliable sources. Finally, since it’s so easy for misinformation to spread on social media, remember to use good judgment when interacting with others online.
You can find the most updated and accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Washington State Department of Health at COVIDVaccineWA.org. And you can check the CDC’s Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines webpage or our blogs to fact check common claims about COVID-19 vaccines. If you have questions, your health care provider or community health worker can also help you get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
More information
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Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to everyone 12 and older. For more information about the vaccine, visit CovidVaccineWA.org and use the vaccine locator tool to find an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
WA Notify can alert you if you’ve been near another user who tested positive for COVID-19. Add WA Notify to your phone today: WANotify.org
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.