Misinformation on Social Media Platforms in the Global Crisis of Coronavirus

Abstract

With COVID-19 turning into a public health crisis, several theories about the origin of the virus on the internet have sparked controversy. Challenges of distinguishing legal content from fake increases the importance of deleting such information through social media networks. Misinformation was created from social media and websites without credible evidence. The COVID-19 epidemic has spread alongside what the World Health Organization calls “infodemic” misinformation. Each social media company responds differently to misinformation and therefore this lack of consistency can lead to confusion among social media users. As the dissemination of such information endangers public health, this chapter focuses on studies to track misinformation on the popular social media. Additionally, one of the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak is the creation of social panic and rapid changes in people's lifestyles caused by social networks. This study investigates the role of social networks in the formation of social phobia and lifestyle changes on account of the corona virus.