ABSTRACT
The onset of a crisis event is often marked by high levels of uncertainty and anxiety, as the public is hungry for information that scientists are unable to provide. The resulting information vacuum becomes the perfect environment for the growth of conspiracy theories, whose ready-made answers go on to cause real harm. While social media is often tied to the growth of misinformation, platforms like Twitter and TikTok can also be a positive force. From helping you improve fundamental storytelling skills to serving as an easy way to share facts and data, your Instagram account can certainly help combat the rise of deliberate misinformation. However, it’s important to remember that more than anything, empathy—not know-it-all elitism—is the key to getting the public to trust you.
