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“Fake news” is a term that has come to mean different things to different people. In the Philippines for the last few months, the term has become a slogan synonymous with politics. In recent years, however, these false stories have already proliferated via social media, in part because they are so easily and quickly shared online. Fake news exists within a larger ecosystem of mis- and disinformation, which is a far more serious concern.
Understanding why people believe and share things that are false is an important part of addressing the spread of fake news on social media. And reason why it is important to take a look at the role of digital literacy in combating misinformation.
Digital literacy refers to a particular set of competencies that allow you to function and participate fully in a digital world. It is the ability to use technology to find information, evaluate sources, create truthful content, and communicate with others effectively.
That is why during its “TikTok Digital Literacy Hub: A Guide to Online Safety,” leading short-form video platform TikTok reiterated its continued commitment to fight harmful misinformation and to help users navigate the digital environment safely.
Panelists included in the event are TikTok Head of Public Policy, the Philippines, Mr. Kristoffer Rada; TikTok Content Creator, Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz (Mighty Magulang); Chief of Party, YouthLed, Ms. Ching Jorge; Internews Senior Program Officer, Mr. Gian Libot. Celebrity Antoinette Taus hosted the event.
The event was streamed via TikTok LIVE.
According to TikTok Philippines Head of Policy Kristoffer Rada, TikTok’s commitment to digital literacy is not just in the Philippines, but also across South East Asia.
“We invited our partners today because we realized that this problem cannot be solved by one sector alone. It really needs a holistic approach, a multi-pronged approach for us to get to a solution. We all have the power within ourselves to be the initial gatekeepers of what could be fake news. We are embarking on that first step of this journey towards critical thinking and digital literacy,” Rada added.
“In YouthLed, we integrate digital literacy with our civic education program. We consider digital literacy as an important 21st century education skill. Together with democratic values, these can help the youth navigate online democratic spaces and participate effectively,” said Ching Jorge, Chief of Party, Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed).
TikTok’s initiative in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia also hosts digital literacy tips that can help users make smart choices. The tips come in the form of videos, quizzes, and scenario-based learning content that users can easily relate to.
No to Misinformation
Users were also encouraged to be critical about information they read on social media and on the Internet. TikTok’s Digital Literacy Hub provides tools that will help users to identify and report inappropriate materials, platforms that spread false information and fake news.
Through its in-app Digital Literacy Hub, Tiktok promotes safe online behavior and encourages everyone to think twice before doing anything on the Internet or before taking on dangerous challenges. The hub is Tiktok’s portal containing educational information on mental well-being, cyber wellness, minor safety, potentially dangerous online challenges, and other digital literacy topics, and is anchored by hashtag #thinkb4youdo.
“A huge portion of digital literacy has been focused on how to use stuff, how to be able to navigate a specific platform – and that’s well and good. But the missing ingredient there is to introduce some critical thinking within consumption. Because at the end of the day, if you are exposed to false information, the best person to be able to check that information is going to be you, the consumer,” said Gian Libot, Senior Program Officer, Internews.
Meanwhile, TikTok Content Creator Mona Magno-Veluz (Mighty Magulang) said: On the platform itself, we are seeing a lot NGOs (non-government organizations), a lot of good brands, harnessing the power of short-form videos. There are good causes that are going on this platform. #EduWOW of TikTok Philippines has two billion views on its educational content. So it is a wrong assumption that everything on TikTok is not correct. In fact, brands and organizations like these have understood and given importance to the power of short form video.
Know more about the TikTok Digital Literacy hub. Visit bit.ly/tiktokwellnesshub. Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today.
