26/05/2022
Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, play a vital role in the dissemination of information. It has has changed the way we communicate, do business, get our daily news fix and so much more. The most obvious pros of using social networks are the ability to instantly connect with people, know real-time news and information discovery, great opportunities for business owners, and for general fun and enjoyment. However, it is no secret that there's also a dark side in using social media platforms. There is the rise of misinformation and fake news. The freedom to post any content given to social media users, paired with the lack of accountability from social media platforms enabled the proliferation of fake news. Francis Emil Pabalinas of Barangay San Agustin, City Proper responsibly uses social media platforms and would like to stop or discredit fake news peddlers. 👩💻🧑💻
“I am Francis Emil Pabalinas 17 years old and a senior student from Iloilo National High School. I always use social media to contact with my teachers and classmates since social media is the only means we have to communicate with our teachers and friends during this pandemic. Furthermore, social media encourages self-directed learning, which equips students to seek answers and make decisions on their own. Unfortunately, social media has a terrible side: bogus news. Disinformation has the ability to manipulate users for political or economic gain. As a young person who uses social media, I consistently fight misinformation and fake news by ensuring that people get their information from reliable sources. So, in order to prevent the spread of disinformations and fake news, I recommend that you always check before sharing, take a few extra moments to review the source or read the entire article to ensure that the news appropriately reflects the content and that the site is reliable.”
-Francis Emil Pabalinas
We must always remember that social media is a powerful tool since its strong influence in the country can shape society’s opinion on any individual or issue. We all must learn how to responsibly exercise our freedom to post content on our respective platforms, in accordance with the right to free speech, and of expression. We encourage everyone to report or flag posts that are considered false or misleading and we must always put in mind to think before we click. 💻🖱