Why Facebook is lagging on addressing anti-vaccine content

Facebook has yet to take significant steps in addressing the spread of vaccine misinformation online, despite making a pledge to do so in March, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Advertisement

WSJ noted antivaccine content is still widely available on the social media giant’s platforms. As of this week, the company was also still running paid ads from a prominent antivaccination group on its website.

“We’re not where we want to be,” Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of global policy management, told WSJ. “And we know that.”

To avoid accusations of overstepping its bounds, Facebook’s main focus is to prevent the spread of false information, not to silence antivaccine advocates, according to Ms. Bickert.

Facebook is developing automated tools to detect banned antivaccine content and working with public health groups to create informational materials that will pop up for users searching for vaccine-related content. Ms. Bickert said these changes may take some time to implement, as the company intends to test the features before launching them.

More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:

Prolonged antibiotic exposure common after patient discharge, study finds
31 hospitals that do not publicly report pediatric heart surgery data
San Diego hospital delivers world’s smallest surviving infant

 

At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Register to Attend Webinar

When nurses help build the AI, adoption follows: Lessons from 3 health systems

Tuesday, July 28
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Amy McCarthy, DNP, RNC-MNN, NE-BC, CENP, Hippocratic AIBeth Reimschissel, PhD, RN, CNL, Memorial HermannAllison Schlinkert, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Cincinnati Children'sScott Estep, MBOE, BSN, RN, CSSBB, OhioHealth System

Advertisement

Next Up in Clinical Leadership & Infection Control

Advertisement

Comments are closed.