[SprinkL3]

What exactly are admin and mods doing about disinformation and misinformation?

The suggestions online by many reputable professionals say that if you see something, say something. It's more than personal conflict between members, and not every member has private messaging available to address this off the forums. This has become an issue for all social media sites with comment features.

For those with mental illnesses, the allowance of misinformation and disinformation is more than freedom of speech; it can cause irreparable harm to both those with mental disabilities (some of which are listed on the high-risk list for Covid-19 severity) as well as many people with comorbid physical disabilities, age-based issues, obesity issues, and more.

Sadly, I've seen posts that undermine the recommendations of the FDA, CDC, the WHO, and other reputable scientific agencies. Such posts border on spreading disinformation and misinformation, depending on values and political leanings. Although the pandemic has affected many people's mental health, there's a fine line between someone sharing their feelings and experiences and others offering conspiracy theories about testing, vaccinations, colonization of medicine and scientific fields, and more that could harm many vulnerable populations, including minorities. Many people will read this, given their mental illnesses, and take the information at face value. Even those without mental illnesses have bought into conspiracy theories, and many have died or have become permanently disabled from being unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, unmasked, and risk-takers amid the spread of Covid-19.

I've already asked for my own person resolution to this in private messages to admins and mods, but I'm asking for others' sake to please consider revising your surveillance and rules to include the spreading of misinformation and disinformation, and to delineate what those are.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[DocJohn]

If you come across a post or thread that you believe is actively promoting misinformation (rather than just sharing their own opinion or the choice they made for themselves or their family, whether in regard to vaccines, masks, or something related), you should report that post just as you would with anything else of concern within the community.

The community support team will then take a look at the reported post to see if it meets the threshold of actively promoting misinformation.

We do not have the resources to proactively review every post made to the community ahead of time. The way we've always worked (and will continue to work through our team of volunteers) is via voluntary reporting of posts of concern by our members.

We have a 20+ year history of ensuring our community members abide by the community guidelines and ensuring we are not a place overrun by mental health misinformation. We will continue that tradition no matter the topic.

[DocJohn]

Since we just removed a bunch of posts related to "misinformation," thought it wise to add this...

There's an important difference between correcting misinformation in a supportive way, taking into account another member's intent and feelings, and one doing so in a confrontational manner, with little emotional messaging or acknowledgment. The first method is allowed in our community; the second is not.

If you want to "correct" misinformation, you need to find a way to do so in a supportive, empathetic manner. We're first and foremost a self-help support community. We're not a news or informational website.