JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

As stated by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director-general, we have fought not only the COVID-19 pandemic but also an equally severe infodemic. Although the most striking manifestations of the latter occurred on social networks, some studies show that dismisinformation is significantly influenced by numerous additional factors, both online and offline (i.e., disjoined from the internet). These include social context, age, education, personal knowledge and beliefs, mood, psychological defense mechanisms, media resonance, and how news and information are presented to the public. However, following the evidence in the literature, we also discuss how various incorrect scientific practices related to disclosure, publication, and training can fuel such a phenomenon. In particular, we stress the importance of considering that, in every complex system, all components influence each other. Therefore, if we want to bring down novel infodemics due to future severe crises such as pollution and climate change, we will have to act immediately on all levels. In conclusion, we believe that the construction of resilience to dismisinformation must start with children in schools since the current countermeasures are insufficient to combat a phenomenon that has its roots in personal and collective psychology. Furthermore, we believe that themes such as scientific method and evidence should be at the heart of the university education of a future scientist. Finally, the principle of authority and the obsessive pursuit of prestige must be drastically limited as they undermine the credibility of science.