Assistant Professor, Emerging Media Studies, Boston University, Master's Student in Emerging Media Studies, Boston University. When news breaks – whether the story of a disease outbreak, a terrorist attack or a natural disaster – people increasingly turn to the internet and social media. ... there is at least one other serious threat to the effective communication of science online: the lack of civility in online and social media forums. In my new job in the LSU College of Science, where I started as a science communication specialist in July 2016, I've been creating and strategizing a LOT for social media.Since July, I've helped create and maintain a new science blog and Instagram account for the College. How social media can distort and misinform when communicating science Loop News Created : 24 July 2017 Tech Banning Trump from Social Media Makes Sense. The spreading of misinformation online. How social media can distort and misinform when communicating science ... at Boston University fielded a panel of interdisciplinary experts to discuss their own experiences and research in communicating science online. Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. (2014). According to Caulfield: It was outraging—a 15-minute advertisement for this clinic in Mexico. The non-existence of regulating laws for social media along with non-application of Section 126 and other Sections of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1951 can result in abuse and misuse of social media. Many scientists already use social media to some extent to communicate with their colleagues, but generally do not engage the public or media. Jacob Groshek is an assistant professor of emerging media studies in Boston University’s College of Communication. In a nationwide survey, we found that the more frequently respondents reported posting and sharing any information online to social media, they were increasingly likely to be highly misinformed about AMR. The facts become lost in the shuffle of competing information, limited attention, or both. Psychologist John Suler described ingredients that contribute to what he identifies as the online disinhibition effect. Together these factors suggest a trend that is hard to break, even when scientists directly and actively engage with the public through social media. Once these items enter into the social media echo chamber, they’re amplified. Our team from the Emerging Media Studies division at Boston University presented new findings that indicate social media can perpetuate misinformation about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and may contribute indirectly to the misuse of antibiotics. When taken together, our findings suggest there may be a misinformation cycle taking shape. Most indicated it’s more possible than ever for researchers to participate meaningfully in public debates and contribute to the creation and diffusion of scientific knowledge – but social media presents many pitfalls along the way. Your email address will not be published. The problem is that social media is also a great way to spread misinformation, too. Kevin Folta from the University of Florida, one of the more visible and prominent scientists in the field of genetically modified food, has had similar and even more extreme experiences. Through Ask Me Anything (AMA) posts – basically a crowd-sourced interview – users submit questions directly to scientists who moderate the discussions and provide detailed answers. Beyond misinformation, hype, and other forms of scienceploitation on social media, there is at least one other serious threat to the effective communication of science online: the lack of civility in online and social media forums. 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