After the flash floods in central Texas, social media users shared videos purportedly showcasing the event, which included crowds fleeing a wave and torrents bursting through windows. However, many clips actually depicted past disasters from different years and locations, misleading viewers. Videos were re-used for 'engagement farming' tactics to increase interactions and potential financial gain. Experts highlight that the drive for engagement often prioritizes attention over accuracy, reflecting an emotional need among viewers to understand the scope of devastation through intense imagery.
In the wake of central Texas flash floods that killed more than 100 people, social media users shared video of crowds running from a wave cresting over a railing.
Several online accounts took advantage of people looking for flood footage by sharing clips of natural disasters that happened in other years and in some cases different countries.
Engagement farming, or the use of deceptive tactics to boost social media interactions that could lead to financial benefit, is common after natural disasters.
Social media reinforces engagement and not accuracy, which often leads to the proliferation of misleading content in moments of crisis.
Collection
[
|
...
]