Got called out for reposting a meme that was already debunked

I shared this funny looking chart about vaccine data in a local group last month, and someone linked to a fact check proving it was doctored. They said 'you're spreading misinformation even if you didn't mean to.' That made me start checking sources before I share anything, especially political stuff. Now I wait at least 15 minutes to see if others are calling it out first. Has anyone else changed their sharing habits after getting called out publicly?

3 comments

3 Comments

claire_grant341mo ago

Wait, 15 minutes is a pretty short window though - are you saying that nobody had fact-checked it within the first few minutes before you hit share? I got burned way worse when I shared a climate graph that my own uncle debunked in the comments, and it took me months to realize how fast bad info spreads even when you think you're being careful. Did you end up leaving the group or just apologize and move on?

faith_shah881mo ago

Bet your uncle was the one who shared the climate graph in the first place, wasn't he?

gavin2281mo ago

Honestly yeah I used to think that if someone posted something it was probably at least partially true, like why would they share it if it wasn't. This whole thing really flipped my thinking though. Now I wait at least an hour before sharing anything that seems even a little off, because that climate graph story you mentioned hits close to home. I just apologized in the group and said I'd be more careful, figured owning it was better than making excuses.