Are you boycotting the internet today? This year there has been a huge push to boycott the internet on the first day in April, as a way of fighting back and saying that we, the general public, are sick of Fake News.
There’s been a lot of hoopla in the States, with President Trump, fact checking, and plenty of calls of “Fake news!” on both sides. I’ve read articles sharing statics which show that many people will share an article on Facebook based on the title alone. They will share without even reading what they are sharing, let alone taking the time to check the sources and see if there’s any basis in fact.
Sometimes it’s a satire piece that missed it’s mark and is being taken as fact, but more often it’s just outright propaganda, selling someone’s viewpoint or product with a skewed version of reality. Facebook has acknowledged that they are aware it’s a problem and that it’s affecting their credibility as a website. They’ve begun partnering with recognised fact-checking organisations to flag fake news.
“…weeks after the US presidential election results raised new questions about how viral hoaxes may have contributed to Donald Trump’s victory. Facebook is introducing tools designed to make it easier to report links shared in the News Feed as fake news…”
And yet, fake news persists. Scrolling through my feed this morning I saw dozens of examples (like this, this, this, and this). Even Twitter isn’t immune.
Of course, if you’re reading this post it’s already too late to take part in this year’s boycott, but you can pledge to take part next year right here.
Personally, I thought about taking the pledge to boycott the internet on #NoFakeNews day, but to be honest I’d have a hard time keeping that promise, as there are far too many things I enjoy reading and doing online, some of which I need to do to keep this blog chugging along. So instead I’ve decided to fight back against fake news in my own small way by vowing to employ a team of fact checkers. Yes, I have hired a dedicated two-person team to check facts and ensure that no fake news is ever published at Maple Leaf Mommy.
Ok, yes, if you haven’t caught on by now, this is my own take at an April Fool’s post. My husband was talking last night about how some people detest April Fools, hate all the lame fake things that are published on that day, and actively boycott the internet on April 1st. While I DO think actual fake news is an insidious evil that should be stomped out (and I try and do my due diligence before sharing anything on my personal or public profiles), I adore the sort of fake news that appears each year on April 1st. Because this, this and this, is just too amusing.
I don’t like to even pay attention to it and quite frankly so much has been Trump’s effort to try and distract from all the bad things he’s done but I just try to ignore all of it and hope that 4 years will go by really quick
I found this year to be quite quiet honestly, I seen a lot more on Facebook last year and for one day it’s all in good humour, but leave it at that!!
I agree, Lynda. For one day it’s all good fun. I was actually very disappointed this year to see big companies publishing their April 1st content on March 30th and 31st. Boo. You get one day guys, not three.
I hate to think that I’ve had my head buried in the sand but I did not hear anything about boycotting the internet on April 1st.I haven’t been feeling the best lately though.April Fools day is just fun day for little jokes and hopefully nothing serious.
Nah, there is no actual official boycott movement, I was just being silly. #NoFakeNews was my own little April Fools.
LOL! Wanda, I don’t think she read until the end. 😂 I fell for your April Fools joke Deanna.😅😂 And here I thought I was immune! I think this is the first time in about 6 years I’ve been fooled. Good on you! LOL! 😛😜 Honestly I’ve stayed offline most of the past two days. So even though April Fools is over, it still counts to me. I still fell for it. Sigh. Haha! Happ belated April Fools!