Dealing with Fake News and Hamas Supporters During These Frightening Times: A Call To Action For Social Media Literacy

October 11, 2023
Noa Sussan

Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, United States

Class of 2025

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As a Jew living in America, witnessing the attacks on Israel left me feeling a profound sense of helplessness. In response, I decided to join my peers in spreading awareness. Considering the platforms available, I crafted a concise yet informative post on Instagram. As expected, the response from my predominantly Jewish circle was heartening. However, what followed was unexpected and jarring. I found myself overwhelmed with pro-Hamas comments from unknown individuals. This intrusion left me baffled, unsure of how my account had even been discovered.

Unfortunately, this experience is not an isolated incident. Numerous larger accounts deal with this issue on a far broader scale; gatherings and vigils have been met with pro-Hamas rallies, and the unsettling presence of pro-Hamas sentiments has become an upsetting murmur within schools and communities.

So what should we do?

Educating ourselves and our peers on the unbiased facts of the attacks, as well as media literacy, is the foundation of combating misinformation online. Accurate information from credible sources must be amplified verbally, through social media, and other digital platforms.

All the while, it is imperative to prioritize well-being and safety in person and online when addressing this topic. Remember never to give out your personal information, and if you encounter any form of harassment, report it to the respective platform.

Every voice matters in the fight for truth and understanding. Together, we can pave the way towards a more informed and educated society. One that stands against hatred and supports peace.

גם זה יעבור ו אמ ישראל חי

Noa Sussan is a Junior from South Jersey Region, and is TikTok famous!

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

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