Have you heard of Rumble, Parler, or Telegram? 6% of U.S. adults get news from these platforms instead of using the bigger ones such as Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. Those that regularly read news on such platforms have, in their minds, gained a better understanding of current events while basing themselves on the absolutism of free speech and not censorship. This includes offensive content and fake news, which is detrimental as the majority expect that most of the content there is true despite the lack of regulation of information. Whether their claims are true is highly debated… Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
