In the article, “Just 12 People Are Behind Most Vaccine Hoaxes On Social Media, Research Shows,” Shannon Bond discusses the efforts of social media platforms to combat the spread of misinformation with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bond started by defining the “Disinformation Dozen,” who are the primary contributors to the spread of misinformation vaccines. The Center for Countering Digital Hate has identified these individuals as anti-vaccine activists, alternative health entrepreneurs, and physicians. The Disinformation Dozen collectively have millions of followers to whom they share information decrying doctors and vaccines and about false cures. Facebook and Instagram have been removing and restricting harmful accounts and labeling posts as misinformation to fight against the Disinformation Dozen. After setting the stage, Bond asks what social media platforms are doing to combat this and raises the very important question: “Why have social media platforms only recently begun cracking down on their falsehoods?” Bond explains that although members of Congress and state attorneys general have urged platforms to ban these accounts, they are receiving backlash from users. Users claim censorship when their posts are removed, and when they are restricted, they find loopholes and create codes so they can continue to spread their messages. 

This misinformation spread fast during the pandemic due to the discontinuities in federally and scientifically confirmed data in the early waves of the virus. Lockdowns and lack of information led to hysteria and speculation, making these narratives easier to believe. There is no way that social media platforms will be able to monitor and filter information enough to make sure that everyone knows the truth. The only way to prevent the spread of false information is to support media literacy so that users are able to spot unreliable sources.