Moving Beyond the Call for Identifying Fake News
I think one of the growing problems with false information is how closely it's tied with the radicalization of (typically) white and/or male viewers.
A big thing we need to talk about, now that it's become so wide spread, is deprogramming.
There's an excellent youtuber that's doing work about it, going point for point debunking wild claims, and her channel is called contrapoints
https://www.youtube.com/user/ContraPoints Thought Slime is also doing work to combat extremism and provide engaging content
https://www.youtube.com/c/ThoughtSlime/videos While fake news is still a concern, we need to take extra steps to help return to moderate levels of bias.
There are so many think pieces and lib guides already for identifying false information. focusing on deprogramming and developing tools that when done appropriately and effectively, done on the micro level will have macro effects
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I would be interested in learning deprogramming methods that could be employed in a library setting or program.
Great points, and I love the idea of public libraries engaging in "deprogramming" efforts. And your post, like others I've read on this forum, really shines a light on how the problems we have with disinformation are related to larger societal issues. I'm becoming more and more convinced that focusing only on treating the symptoms of our current disinformation "disease," rather than on prevention and cures, is not a sustainable solution.
Hi Sarah:
Thanks for joining our conversation. Very important point -- and an overwhelming idea to think about how to start that process with people. What ideas do you have about that? What role could a library play?
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I'd also be interested in curating a short list of the model thinkpieces and libguides she refers to, in addition to making a study of the channels she's pointed out.
As for the point itself, I have a lot of #feelings. I would be interested to learn more about why radicalization happens, and who is studying the phenomenon referred to here.
Hi sorry, my last comment got eaten by the site.
One of the programs I'm looking to bring to parents in the library is "how to tell if your child is becoming radicalized" and giving them tools for how to identify behaviors indicative of being indoctrinated to extreme views.
For adults -- "so your family cut you off" -- it functions as a very heavily guided support group aimed at helping adults with adult children understand and cope with why their children have established healthy boundaries with them, and how they can correct their behavior.
Similarly, and likely more successful, offering a guided support group (great outreach opportunity) for adult children/teens that come from radicalized homes. Helping teach about boundaries, offering emotional support, and a safe space to sort out irrational or harmful internalized ideas.
for kids and teens, empathy and anti-bias programming will go a long way to helping cultivate a safe space in your library in addition to identifying bias and false news. Being pro-active is just as important as deprogramming folks.