Staying safe on social media during conflicts

What to do when social media is the new war front. [Center for Countering Digital Hate]( Friend, In times of crisis, scrolling through our timelines can be devastating and enraging. Social media has become a new front in modern warfare. We, users of these platforms, can feel lost and powerless in the face of the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people. So, one of the ways we think we could do our bit, is by raising awareness or showing solidarity online. The problem is that social media is flooded with disinformation and unconfirmed reports that go viral because of how algorithms work, and how engagement farmers use sensational language and clickbait to play on our emotions. Sharing unverified content only helps spread disinformation and fans the flames of hate. The picture of what is going on is often difficult to piece together. Right now, social media platforms are utterly failing to stop the spread of disinformation and hate speech. Why? Because this chaotic environment benefits their own pockets. Social media business models profit from outrage and hatred. The more time we spend on their platforms, the more time we have to view ads – which generates more money for the platforms. They quite simply profit from our maximum engagement, and nothing keeps us engaged like outrage. So, what can you do? Here are a few simple steps to help you avoid spreading misinformation: - Verify before you amplify - don’t share information if you can’t verify it - Be critical - not all sources of information are the same. Be critical of what you see and and who is sharing it - Beware blue ticks - Twitter’s blue ticks aren’t a mark of authenticity anymore – be careful with “verified” users - [Read our full guide]( on navigating social media and building information resilience [Share on Twitter/X]( [Share on Facebook]( [Share on Instagram]( [Share on LinkedIn]( Social media companies are failing us. That’s why we need transparency and accountability to ensure these companies put people’s safety before profit. We have a responsibility to the victims of conflict and to each other to try and get it right. Online hate and lies can cost real lives. In the meantime, let’s take care of each other. Best wishes, The CCDH Team [Twitter icon]( [Instagram Icon]( [Facebook icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [YouTube icon]( General:info@counterhate.com | Press: press@counterhate.com You are receiving this email as you subscribed to CCDH's email list. If you would like to edit your subscription you can do so here: [Manage your subscriptions]( or [unsubscribe from all.]( [supporter]