Should we be Afraid of an Infodemic?

Bernard Seytre, bnscommunicationFollow

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, webinars, gray literature, and studies on the "infodemic" have proliferated, and it has been stated that the COVID-19 infodemic is as dangerous as the epidemic itself. Excess information and the dissemination of false information have been considered threats after every technological revolution that increased the spread of information. As they have done in past centuries, individuals in the digital age continue to develop adaptive strategies. Social media users exhibit discernment, and the impact of false information on their beliefs is limited. Its impact on behaviors, such as COVID-19 protective measures and vaccination, has not been demonstrated. There is no need for specific efforts to combat the “infodemic.” As in the past, combating false information today essentially involves implementing best practices in public health communication.