Social Media’s Role in Fueling Extremism and Misinformation
Ask students: What percentage of people in the U.S. say they get their news from social media? How many Americans believe that social media is "bad for democracy"?
Half of U.S. adults say they sometimes get their news from social media. However, almost two-thirds of adults say they view social media as a bad thing for democracy. This raises the question of what responsibility social media companies bear for our increasingly divided political climate. Judy Woodruff explores that more for her ongoing series, America at a Crossroads.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- What percentage of people in the U.S. say they get their news from social media?
- How many Americans (what fraction of Americans) believe that social media is "bad for democracy"?
- Who is Katie McHugh, and how was she changed by social media, according to this interview?
- Why does content on social media give viewers a distorted sense of politics, according to Chris Bail?
- Where was AI used to suggest less divisive language to users?
Focus Questions
If you were designing a social media platform with the goal of limiting misinformation and intentionally divisive posts, what strategy would you use? Do you think limiting false or inflammatory posts should be a goal of social media companies?
Media literacy: Where do you get your news about current events? Do you have sources for news beyond social media like TikTok and Instagram?
Extension Activity
Do you think you have a good idea about when you're encountering misinformation online? Have you ever caught yourself sharing stories on social media that seem like they might be fake or based on rumors? Watch the video below from the MediaWise Teen Fact-checking Network and discuss — what are some good rules of thumb for avoiding spreading misinformation?
Supporting Students' Media Literacy Skills
Enhance media literacy education with this blog's free lesson plans and resource recommendations to empower students' critical thinking in the digital age.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of NewsHour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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