Social Media Debate Position 3: Social Media as a Credible Source of Information

Abstract

This article examines the ways in which social media has grown into a commonly used source of information and news. It considers the ways social media can be both an asset and a hindrance to the spread of true, verifiable information. The article delves into the many ways that social media is utilized by society, from situations in which it is used to spread useful information during public emergencies to the unfortunate reality of the spread of misinformation. Social media can be a place for people to come together and share true and accurate information, as well as a place where misinformation is spread. Society must be made aware of the risks that an over reliance on social media poses, especially in terms of how it can spread misinformation and cause division in the world.

Keywords:

• social media use
• information sources
• credibility
• health information
• social information
• social networks
• information integrity
• misinformation
• disinformation

Acknowledgement

This is one of the four position papers on social media discussion organized by Dr. Ingrid Hsieh-Yee, Professor of Library and Information Science, Catholic University of America, in her graduate class of LSC 522: Digital Content Creation and Management, Spring 2021.