In Social media we trust
What percent of American adults think that the news they get on social media is trustworthy?
What is wrong with those people?
How accurate was your prediction?
What story does the data tell?
Based on the data, how much trust would you say Americans have in the media in general?
How surprising is that?
What trend do you see in trust in the media over the past three years?
If you asked these same questions about the media (there was no social media then) in 1950 explain how different you think the answer would be.
If you asked these same questions about the media (there may be no families and friends then) in 20 years explain how different you think the answer would be.
Do you think that the news you get on social media is trustworthy?
How much information do you get from social media anyway?
Explain to me why Americans trust local news more than their friends and family, And why they don’t get some new friends.
What percent of American teens think that the news they get on social media is trustworthy?
How do you think this data impacts the American political system today?
Seriously, does it shock you that over 1/3 of Americans trust the news they see on social media?
Explain how this information has impacted how Donald Trump ran for office and how he rules today.
Did you get that emergency alert from the president Yesterday? Pretty cool or pretty scary?
How do you think answers to these questions differ by political party affiliation?
How do you think American politics would change if the government outlawed news on social media (I know, I know, that would be a violation of the first amendment, just play along with me for the sake of argument)?
Visual Extension
Hair Extension
Learning Extension
Read this Pew Research report on the changing media landscape.
Action Extension
Go for two days without any news from social media and see how that impacts your knowledge and understanding of what’s going on. Share your experience and analysis in class or on (ironic) social media.
Ridiculous Animal Extension
(Yes, these are real, and there are more to come!)
