The Truth Behind the Scroll

GTG: Articles

Dec 29

Navigating Social Media's Impact on Information

Where do you get the majority of your news? Podcast, social media, mainstream news sources? Are you confused, overwhelmed, and unsure who or what to believe? I get it. It makes sense. It’s overwhelming. And exhausting.

The real fact is more and more people are getting their news from social media. About a third of U.S. adults say they regularly get news on social media, with Facebook, YouTube, and X being the top three in general demographics, but that is further broken down via gender, age, political affiliation, and race. 1

While social media has its benefits, it’s essential to consider how it shapes the type of information we receive—and why that matters. Information shapes our reality, influencing how we see ourselves, each other, and the world around us. With this in mind, we may want to look closely at who and what is doing the shaping.

The rise of digital media, especially social media, has brought a flood of content geared toward rapid sharing, often favoring sensational or emotionally charged material over factual accuracy. As Amanda Ripley points out in High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out, “One of the greatest dangers of social media is that it speeds conflict up. It holds us captive in the reactive mode of thinking, by design, robbing us of time and space. In that sense, it’s like an automatic weapon. If you never have to stop to reload, there’s no way your loved ones can tackle you and bring you to your senses.”2

This dynamic can lock us into a cycle of rapid-fire reactivity, making it harder to process complex issues thoughtfully. Recognizing how these platforms shape what we see and believe is crucial for cultivating a more balanced, intentional perspective.

Conflict is powerful. But so is agreement—and both drive our engagement on social media. Each time we experience an emotional reaction online, we get a hit of dopamine, which reinforces our behavior and leaves us craving more. This dopamine loop keeps us hooked, as Dr. Anna Lembke describes in Dopamine Nation.3 The equation is simple: more emotion leads to more engagement, and engagement means profit. With financial incentives in play, there’s now a market for reaction.

Social media is teeming with “conflict entrepreneurs”—those who stoke outrage to keep us scrolling. Conspiracy theorists sell their “specialized truth,” claiming only a select few can grasp it (and we love the dopamine rush from feeling like we’re in on a secret). Grifters use fear to drive us toward their “solutions,” conveniently for sale. Influencers, true to their name, are there to influence our views and choices. And then there are foreign bots, amplifying division and distorting reality. In this chaotic mix, our minds become easy prey.

Ironically, I see well-meaning parents refusing to let their kids onto social media—while they themselves scroll through YouTube videos within their own echo chambers.

As Daniel Hövermann chillingly points out in The Social Dilemma, “If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product.”4 Our minds, psychology, and willpower are on the line, and information itself becomes the drug. In the words of Edward Tufte, also from The Social Dilemma, “There are only two industries that call their customers ‘users’: illegal drugs and software.” 5

On the flip side, there's the risk of total disengagement due to information and emotional overload. Too much content, combined with intense emotions, can backfire. This constant stream of information often leads to news fatigue, where people feel so overwhelmed they either disengage entirely or gravitate only to sources that confirm what they already believe. You may even catch yourself thinking, “You can’t trust any news source,” or, “It’s just too hard to know what to believe.”

I understand. I spend hours on social media observing and reading about these dynamics, and there are many days I, too, feel the weight of our polarized world. But remember—this polarity, and the exhaustion it creates, isn’t accidental.

In my view, the answer isn’t found in taking sides but in acknowledging the complexity of the problem itself. Only by seeing the whole picture can we begin to reclaim our minds from the algorithm-driven, dopamine-fueled drama machine.

Not all social media is harmful—in fact, like any tool, its impact depends on how we use it. Promoting our businesses with integrity, networking, and fostering safe spaces for honest discussions are positive aspects of these platforms. With critical thinking, we can resist echo chambers and avoid the lure of outrage or influence baiting.

Rule number one: don’t rely on social media for your news, and take regular breaks from it. Use it wisely, and be diligent in vetting all sources. YouTube, for instance, is filled with content that looks like documentaries but lack factual grounding. It’s important to distinguish between entertainment channels, opinion shows, and credible news outlets, as they are held to different standards of accuracy and responsibility.

As Adam Grant wisely points out, “If you’re a scientist by trade, rethinking is fundamental to your profession. You’re paid to be constantly aware of the limits of your understanding. You’re expected to doubt what you know, be curious about what you don’t know, and update your views based on new data.”6 This mindset of curiosity and adaptability is one we should all embrace in our media consumption.

How to spot real news?7

It is boring. It feels more like a recitation of facts than an emotional roller coaster. Beware of Emotional Manipulation: News that provokes extreme emotions may be trying to bypass critical thinking. Outlets that rely on sensationalism or loaded language may aim to incite fear or outrage rather than provide clear, balanced information.
Look for actual experts. You can’t be an expert on everything. None of us has the brain capacity or specialized knowledge to fully understand every topic. Instead, the real skill lies in choosing experts wisely. Your responsibility is to identify credible sources with deep knowledge in the field, and ideally, without hidden agendas. Look for those with relevant expertise, such as investigative journalists, scientists, researchers, or correspondents who specialize in the specific topic at hand. These specialists tend to offer more reliable perspectives than generalists. Building a trustworthy news “diet” is like finding the right mentors—you don’t need to know everything yourself, but you should know whom to trust and listen to.
Look for Primary Sources and Transparency: Reliable news often cites primary sources, such as direct interviews, official documents, or statements from organizations. Real news shows you the trail—either by embedding links to original reports, outlining the data used, or providing background on methodologies.
Look up the ethical considerations. News ethics are the principles that guide journalists in providing accurate, fair, and responsible reporting. These standards help ensure that news outlets maintain credibility and serve the public trust. Common ethics include accuracy, fairness, impartiality, and accountability. Journalists are expected to verify information, avoid conflicts of interest, and clearly distinguish between fact and opinion. Ethical news sites also prioritize transparency, disclosing sources and correcting errors when they occur. By following these guidelines, news organizations aim to present information in a way that informs the public without manipulation or bias.
Cross-Reference with Multiple Sources: For significant stories, check how other reputable outlets report on the same events. Consistency across credible platforms often signals reliability. If only one source or fringe sites cover a story, it may warrant skepticism.

Some reliable sources of news:

Associated Press (AP) - Known for straightforward reporting, AP’s style tends to emphasize facts without much commentary or opinion. It’s often cited by other news outlets as a reliable source.
Reuters - Reuters is an international news organization with a reputation for clear, factual reporting and minimal editorializing. They provide coverage worldwide and are often noted for impartiality.
BBC News - Funded by the British government but independently operated, the BBC aims for balanced reporting, particularly on international issues. Though its domestic coverage can reflect slight biases, the BBC remains respected for its commitment to factual reporting.
NPR (National Public Radio) - NPR offers a range of perspectives, with an emphasis on in-depth analysis and factual storytelling. It may lean left on some topics, but it is generally valued for its rigor and integrity in news coverage.
The Christian Science Monitor - Despite its religious name, this outlet is a secular news organization dedicated to objective journalism. It has a strong reputation for unbiased reporting and provides global coverage.
Pew Research Center - While not a news outlet, Pew conducts nonpartisan research and analysis on public opinion, social issues, and demographic trends. Their reports often serve as a baseline for understanding public sentiment without political spin.
ProPublica - This nonprofit newsroom focuses on investigative journalism and is respected for its in-depth, fact-based reporting. ProPublica emphasizes transparency and holds a commitment to nonpartisan reporting.
AllSides - AllSides isn’t a news outlet but aggregates stories across the political spectrum, showing how issues are reported by outlets with varying biases. This can help you see different angles on the same story and understand potential biases in individual outlets.

It’s also useful to look for fact-checking sites like FactCheck.org, PolitiFact, and Snopes to verify specific claims, especially in political reporting. Additionally, resources like Media Bias/Fact Check can help identify the slant of various outlets to allow for a more comprehensive perspective.

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The Truth Behind the Scroll

Navigating Social Media's Impact on Information

Separating Fact from Fiction

Braving the Gap