assignments. A source is considered credible when it is written by an expert and free of
errors and bias, or prejudice. Students and many others may use social media as a
source. Social media platforms are websites and applications where people create or
share content. While it is possible to learn about many topics on social media, it is more
often a source of misinformation than truth. Suppose you typed the keyword “exercise” on a social media site. Social media
platforms use algorithms, or formulas, to sort content for each user. Algorithms “learn” by
collecting data, such as what content users have viewed, searched for, liked, or shared.
This might sound like an ideal way to have the best possible user experience. In reality,
although it makes for casual scrolling, algorithms often promote bias and
misinformation.
By personalizing your feed, social media limits your point of view and reinforces biases.
Perhaps you enjoy yoga more than running. By watching posts about yoga, you are
“teaching” the algorithm your preference. When searching for exercise, you are more
likely to see posts about yoga than other forms of exercise. Social media confirms the
opinions and judgments we already have, making it an unreliable source of information.
In addition to only seeing subjects in which you are directly interested, you may also
repeatedly view conflicting or false information. While some content is produced by
specialists, such as doctors, most posts are created by people who are not experts.
People often create content that reflects their opinions, but it may not be factual or
backed by evidence. For example, someone might perform an exercise incorrectly in a
post. This post is then shared by many others, regardless of its reliability or harmfulness.
You may think you could easily spot misinformation, but one recent study shows it’s not
so cut and dry. The study found that repetition decreases our ability to perceive if
something is truthful. Seeing repeated content on social media makes it harder toCUA 5/6 ReviewPage 2 of 17
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decide whether the information is reliable.
Social media companies have changed the way people interact and communicate.
They have also led to the spread of misinformation. These platforms provide fun places
to connect with others, but they should be handled with caution when looking for credible
sources of truth.
Social Media:
A Source of Truth
Today, there are many convenient ways for people to stay connected. However, social
media is one of the most popular methods of modern communication. Social media
consists of websites and applications that enable people to create and share content.
Social media platforms also give users quick and easy access to information on an
infinite number of topics. People use the connections they make on social media to
raise awareness and to learn from a vast network of individuals with similar interests.
Social media platforms can be valuable, truthful educational sources. But how do they
work? Part of the answer has to do with algorithms. These are sets of rules that
computers use to solve problems or perform functions. Social media companies use
algorithms to determine which posts will be seen on a user’s feed, or homepage. This
allows each user to have a personalized viewing experience. As a result, people see
only the most appropriate content for them.
How easy is it to find information on social media? It’s a snap, thanks to algorithms.
Perhaps a person is interested in finding out more about their health and well-being. By
using social media, they can directly search for information about their health using
keywords. The platform will show them content related to the information for which they
search. For example, suppose someone performed a search using the keywords “healthy
lifestyle.” They would likely find recipes and how-to videos for making healthy meals.
Because of algorithms, relevant content might begin to show up in their searches and
feed. This content might include posts about improving mobility, reducing stress, or
performing exercises to strengthen muscles. Many informative posts are created by
experts, such as doctors, healthcare companies, and nutritionists. This helpful content
then gets shared by other interested individuals. In this way, valuable content becomes
available to a wide variety of users. And as a bonus, posts such as these often have
links to additional helpful resources.
Social media helps people communicate, educate, and learn. Although not all
information posted on social media is based on truth, one recent study revealed that
people can detect when they are viewing an unreliable or untruthful source ofCUA 5/6 ReviewPage 3 of 17
information. The benefits of using social media as a source of information far outweigh
any disadvantages. Social media platforms are highly effective tools for finding truthful
information.
1. What inference does the text Social Media: A Reliable Source? make? Use the drop-
downs to fill in the blanks.
Social media can be 1 - (A) reliable and enjoyable for all users (B) personalized and used for
professional purposes (C) entertaining but is not always a reliable source of truth . However, it
can be 2 - (A) used as a dependable source of information (B) a good place to connect with
others (C) used to find information related to exercise. Based on "Social Media: A Reliable Source?," how is a credible source different from an
unreliable source?
A. A credible source is free from errors and has been shared on social media, while an
unreliable source may contain errors and has not been shared on social media.
B. A credible source is not posted on social media and contains a point of view, while
an unreliable source is posted on social media and contains evidence.
C. A credible source does not contain opinions and is free from repetition, while an
unreliable source is unbiased and repetitive.
D. A credible source does not have bias and is written by an expert, while an unreliable
source is biased and may contain errors.
1 answer
Social media can be (C) entertaining but is not always a reliable source of truth. However, it can be (A) used as a dependable source of information.
Based on "Social Media: A Reliable Source?," how is a credible source different from an unreliable source?
D. A credible source does not have bias and is written by an expert, while an unreliable source is biased and may contain errors.
