Covid-19 increased conspiracy theories and disinformation online

The Covid-19 pandemic has had lasting effects, including a significant rise in conspiracy theories and disinformation. This change has continued even after lockdowns ended. In the UK, over 232,000 people died from the virus, and the pandemic impacted the economy and education for many children. From the start, some people doubted the existence of the virus. Many believed it was engineered for control, referred to as a "plandemic." Others spread false claims about 5G technology or blamed figures like Bill Gates. Vaccines were wrongly accused of being tools for tracking people's movements. Mark Forshaw, a health psychology professor, explains why conspiracy theories gained traction during the pandemic. He notes that they have existed for a long time, but the global nature of Covid-19 allowed many people to connect online. Social media made it easier for these theories to spread quickly, regardless of their truth. Fear played a significant role in why people believed these theories. Many were terrified of the pandemic, which led some to deny their fears and search for alternative explanations. Forshaw highlights that a tendency for "intolerance of uncertainty" makes it hard for some to accept not knowing what is going on, leading to the creation of conspiracy theories. According to Forshaw, most conspiracy theories often have a "grain of truth." For example, people can feel that businesses are out to get them when they try to sell products. He argues that fear and uncertainty cause some to construct elaborate theories. Since the pandemic, conspiracy theories have expanded to other topics. For example, a council plan in Liverpool to improve local services faced protests over false claims that it would infringe on civil liberties. Public figures, including former footballer Rickie Lambert, participated in these protests. Forshaw emphasizes the challenge of countering conspiracy theories. Since these theories are often unprovable, they can be difficult to refute. This shifting narrative makes it tough for policymakers and others trying to combat disinformation.