Platforms including TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Telegram have been overwhelmed with a surge of violent and distressing content. Compounding this issue, the rampant spread of fake news has intensified, exploiting the already chaotic digital landscape. 

So, how can we navigate through the fog of digital warfare in these tumultuous times? Our Content and Social Media Manager, Liora Coberman, shares her top tips for handling explicit content and misinformation. 

Part 1: Think Before You Watch 

Viewing uncensored or excessively violent content in the context of the Israeli-Hamas war, or any conflict, is highly detrimental for several reasons: 

1. Constant exposure to violent content can breed chaos and despair, supporting the motives of parties interested in amplifying the conflict’s horrors and manipulating public sentiment.

2. Viewing too much violent and scary content can lead to desensitization or traumatic psychological effects, inadvertently making viewers casualties of a form of psychological warfar

3. Consuming such content may inadvertently promote the spread of unverified or contextually misrepresented information, muddying the waters with misinformation and bias, preventing constructive dialogue and informed decision-making.

4. Last but not least, spreading this sensitive and gruesome content often violates the dignity of victims and their families, by reducing their profound suffering to mere shock value or propaganda.

So, please don’t scroll aimlessly, especially through platforms like X and Telegram, known for hosting very violent content. 

Part 2: Think before you share

Misinformation and fake news are rampant, always ready to distort narratives and realities. Let’s examine a deceptive piece that recently circulated: A video that allegedly showed North Korea’s Kim Jong Un blaming the Israeli-Hamas conflict on President Joe Biden. However, after thorough scrutiny by the Associated Press, the truth surfaced—the video was a doctored version from 2020, featuring misleading captions and lacking any references to the conflict or Biden. This incident is just one example.  

Arguably, the most dangerous fake news to emerge during this conflict was the claim that Israel had struck a hospital in Gaza, causing hundreds of casualties, while in fact, a Hamas missile hit the side of a hospital causing some damage. This story was not only picked up by major media outlets and spread across the globe, but some contend that it fueled hostilities to such an extent that it could have escalated violence from other neighboring countries. 

This underscores the necessity of vigilance and a robust fact-checking regimen. In a landscape overflowing with false stories, maintaining a discerning approach is critical. So, prioritize reading verified information, particularly when it influences political or global narratives. 

Here are some best practices for fact checking: 

• Research the author: A quick LinkedIn or Google search can confirm their authority and knowledge. 

• Examine Website Information – Reputable sites usually provide an “About Us” section for transparency, typically located at the top or bottom of their homepage, along with contact details. 

• Assess for Bias – Be wary if an article appears slanted towards a particular perspective or links to sources that may indicate a political or ideological bias, as it may not present a complete picture. 

• Check Timeliness – Information has a shelf life. Prioritize the most current data available for accuracy. 

• Evaluate Cited Sources – Scrutinize sources mentioned in the article. Sometimes, organizations that seem authoritative may have biases or represent marginal views. 

• Scrutinize URLs – Beware of deceptive domain names, especially ones mimicking legitimate educational or institutional sites with subtle variations. 

• And of course, don’t forget to verify your images with a Google Images reverse search. While it is not completely foolproof, running a picture through Google’s image archive should be the first stage of the process, and it will often allow you to dismiss a photo as being fake in a matter of seconds. 

From my own experience as a Social Media Manager, I strongly believe that these tips should help you and your colleagues improve your well-being during these challenging times. Moreover, adopting these strategies is not just a matter of survival. It’s about creating spaces that champion truth and fostering environments conducive to constructive discourse and resolution amidst conflict and chaos. In the relentless digital war, may these lessons serve as armor, protecting the integrity of our platforms and narratives. 

Want to convey these key lessons to your employees? Our Employer Branding Department can assist in creating internal communications to ensure that your colleagues receive the support they need during these times. 

Feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll ensure that your employees receive the necessary support.