Let’s get our minds back on the Internet: O2 is fighting disinformation

The Slovak mobile operator O2 is coming up with an initiative Let’s get our minds back on the internet, in which he wants to educate people on how to behave on the Internet and how not to succumb to the pressure of the disinformation scene.

“Technology is a good servant, but a bad master. They help us maintain friendships at a distance, but at the same time they teach us to hate us at a distance. In addition to golden kittens and merry memes, they also spread lies and hate speech. And under the influence of emotions, we act before we think. At O2 # We Date Responsibly, and that’s why we decided to support the return of reason to the Internet. ”

As part of the campaign, a very interesting deepfake video was created, which shows how easy it is to create false information and manipulate reality on the Internet. In some cases, recognizing such a scam is quite challenging.

You could meet Zlatica Puškárová in the video, but she is not really in it. It’s just a deepfake video that features a completely different person and says what she would never have said otherwise.

“Our survey showed that about a fifth of people in Slovakia believe in conspiracy media in key topics, such as the origins of covid or vaccination. Moreover, another fifth do not trust any media in these topics – neither the mainstream nor the so-called alternative. We are watching with concern the breakdown of people’s confidence in facts and verified information. We feel co-responsible for how people use mobile data. We want to do our best to bring sanity back to the Internet, strengthen critical thinking and help cultivate the information environment in Slovakia. ”

Igor Tóth, CEO of O2

Everything important in one place

As part of the initiative, the website datujzodpovedne.o2.sk was created, where you will find all important information. In addition, there is a special test that will check how vigilant you are on the Internet. If you can handle it, from O2 you get an Unlimited data per day package completely free of charge.

The site explains in some detail how nonsense arises and experiences in five simple steps:

1. There may be a mistake in the beginning, but also an intention
2. The hoax is made to work
3. Social networks get him to people
4. Abuse of error of our mind
5. We don’t like each other and we are doing badly

Each of these steps is on the page date responsible explained in detail. O2 also advises what to do so that you don’t get caught so easily. It is necessary to take into account who said the specific information, whether it creates a feeling in you (fear, hatred, etc.), what is the context where the information is located and so on. By analyzing these points, it is much easier to distinguish misinformation from truth. It is not a shame to fly, but not to learn.

O2 will give 60,000 euros for education in the field of media literacy

The O2 Fair Foundation will support digital educational projects, platforms and initiatives in the field of media literacy and the formulation of critical thinking for children, young people and teachers. It will also support projects aimed at cultivating the information space, refuting hoaxes and suppressing hate speech in the amount of € 60,000. Every idea is welcome, you can submit your project here.

The site also features interviews with people who, based on substantiated facts, have changed their minds about the misinformation and hoaxes they previously believed. Anti-vaxer Juliana talked about how she had changed her attitude to vaccination, and former conspirator Samuel again said what had changed his view of the world.

You can also get useful advice from psychologist Vladimíra Čavojová, who will teach you how to think critically. Psychologist Dušan Ondrušek will advise you on how to talk to conspirators and trolls.

#DateResponsible