Television and newspapers have taken a backseat in the last few decades, with people increasingly turning to social networks for the latest news. While this trend is convenient and fast, there is a downside: important information can get buried under entertainment content. Researchers from the Stevens Technological Institute in New Jersey confirm that during emergencies, rescue services can get lost amidst posts about pets and political debates.
The scientific team analyzed posts during hurricanes Harvey, Nameld, Laura, and Florence from 2017 to 2020. The study, published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, revealed a worrying trend.
Dr. Jose Ramirez-Markes from Stevens’ School of Systems Enterprises explained the situation using a metaphor of a noisy party where everyone is arguing loudly about politics, making it hard to communicate. This poses serious challenges for authorities trying to reach the population.
Social media algorithms prioritize emotional content like stories of pet rescues and debates on climate change, overshadowing official evacuation warnings and safety instructions.
During natural disasters, social media becomes a crucial communication channel for affected areas. When traditional communication fails, people turn to social platforms to seek information about loved ones and instructions from rescue services.
Researchers suggest reevaluating social media algorithms to prioritize important messages from official sources. Recent natural disasters in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina have highlighted the spread of false information on social networks, hindering access to reliable information.
However, finding a solution requires a delicate balance. While social platforms try to regulate content to prioritize crucial messages, they are often accused of censorship. This dilemma was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when Meta faced criticism for blocking posts with misinformation about vaccines to safeguard public health.
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