Who Is Burt-D Agnillo's Misinformation On Instagram

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Misinformation on Instagram. Social media has become a huge part of our society. It can be a way to stay connected with friends and family, entertainment, and even a job. As social media sites like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram continue to evolve and gain more of a foothold in society, so does the possibility of hate and negativity. Instagram, on the surface level, is a fun social media network to share pictures and short videos with a range of audiences. However, this site has also become a place to spread conspiracy theories and misinformation. In an essay by Madeline Burt-D’Agnillo, “Pro-Metabolic Brownies and Anti-Vaccine Rhetoric: COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories, Wellness Influencers, and Misinformation on Instagram''. She dives into the …show more content…

Anti-vaccine communities grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. An influencer that Burt-D’Agnillo followed on Instagram made a post sharing a recipe and in the last sentence she says, “Also vaccine reactions are real and cause permanent disabilities.” (Burt-D’Agnillo 15). This influencer had 144,000 followers at the time. She did not have ethos on this subject or provide any evidence to back up her claim about the negative effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite the lack of attestation, these influencers continue to make an impact and can alter a viewer's opinions. Deterring people away from something available for their safety can be dangerous. Encouraging others to turn down a vaccine without supporting your argument can put vulnerable groups of people at risk. Instagram is not just a place to spread misinformation. Influencers can also make money off their posts. By swaying public opinions and creating a large demographic that believes what they say and post is true, influencers gain power and reach (Burt-D’Agnillo …show more content…

When Burt-D’Agnillo first began her study, she noticed subtle mentions of disapproval of mask mandates, but as time passed, the messages amplified. She saw more straightforward remarks from the influencers she followed after the vaccine rollout. Influencers subsequently started selling products and online services based on their misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. Madelin Burt-D’Agnillo’s examination of Instagram and its links to conspiracy theories and COVID-19 misinformation sheds light on the overwhelming amount of misleading information shared on social media during the early stages of COVID-19, specifically Instagram. Enjoyable social media sites can turn into trouble when the wrong people have major influence on large followings. We witness the power and reach that social media sites have on society and how it can be dangerous. It is important to critically evaluate what we are seeing on Instagram and other social media sites. By promoting transparency and upholding integrity in online shared spaces, we can limit the misinformation that is posted on social