In India, everyone is keener on following the WhatsApp University knowledge than the WHO or government officiated sites and this has given rise to misinformation and hoaxes--this following and sharing of false news has started an ‘Infodemic’ that is even more harmful that the COVID pandemic itself. As the WHO director rightly said, “We’re not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic”. 

But since social media is so woven into our lives that it is not possible to separate ourselves from it, here are a few tips that will help you be more educated about the use of social media and hopefully, gradually, wean yourself away from it. 

1. Getaway from trash: If you think Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other apps are the reason behind you being uneasy about the COVID news, uninstall these apps from your phone. The easy access of these through the apps makes us inadvertently check them more frequently than we would if we had to go through the mobile site or check them on our laptops. Also the experience of the app versus the mobile site is not the same and may deter you from frequently checking the updates. 

2. Fight the WhatsApp University: If you want to avoid the fake news you can start by muting potential WhatsApp groups--this will save you from the alert tones each time a message is shared on the group. If you want to save the people from misinformation, try and send a private message to the person who has shared the forward promoting the fake news, and try to reason with them about how the information is not authentic. Also, limit the number of groups you are a member of.
We are in a health pandemic and the best sources to go to for health information about COVID-19 is your government health website and the World Health Organization website.

3. Check the source: Skipping updates and posts every time might get difficult. So you can instead try and stay mindful of the information and check whether there is an original source to it. Many a time, the forwards might have source information that has been reinterpreted, modified, tampered with personal agendas and opinions. 

4. Do not forward any emotional trash further:When you come across an overwhelming emotional content, talking about the painful stories it can lead to stress. This stress messes with your rational thinking and clouds your judgement--you may end up taking sides even without full information, get into arguments, or hold a bigoted viewpoint to some matter. So, try and think what its impact would be on others if you choose to share it any further--is there a point in creating sensationalism? Or would you rather not participate in cheap antics and jingoism? You might rarely come through a positive post--everything is mostly filled with fear, scare and anger because that is what sells.

5.Do yourself a favour:If you’ve taken the time to fight the misinformation, you need to understand that you cannot convince everyone. If you are feeling like you need a break, carelessly choose the option to mute or block the groups or a few people to maintain your own sanity in this infodemic.

6.Try and break habits: Most of us are used to checking our phones the first thing in the morning and the last before we go to sleep. If social media is distressing you, change your habits--check your phone in the afternoon when you have some free time at hand or in the evening; do not let it come in between your sleep or meals or exercise. Changing habits sends your brain the signal that that particular task is not so important that it has to be followed like a ritual. Gradually you will become more relaxed about social media updates.