Guide on Extricating Uncle Otto from His Telegram Echo Chamber - Guiding Uncle Otto out of his Telegram echo chamber: A step-by-step approach.
Conversing With Your Uncle About Fake News:
Hey, got a tricky situation here – my uncle's been sharing a bunch of bogus news on WhatsApp. Here are some strategies you might wanna try:
First off, keep it chill. If your uncle hasn't dived too deeply into the rabbit hole yet, a friendly conversation could do the trick. Avoid jumping into an online debate right away; that usually doesn't help much.
So, how do I approach the conversation? Ask questions that focus on his feelings and needs. For example, "What made you want to share this?" or "How did this story make you feel?" This helps you target the emotional drivers behind his actions.
What's really going on beneath the surface? Often, it's fear, uncertainty, worries about the future, or concerns about society. Finding this out is crucial to even begin to reach the person.
Now, what if I send websites that check popular fake news or narratives? In our experience, that usually doesn't help. Instead, try offering tiny hints like, "Hey, there are other sources too." Sharing a different video about his hobby or travel could also disrupt the algorithm on Instagram, setting other impulses that have nothing to do with the difficult topics.
Is there a therapist vibe to all this? Not at all. The idea is to show that you're interested in him, not so much in the conspiracy theories he's sharing. Show him you're trying to understand where he's coming from.
What if I can't deal with the content anymore? You can set boundaries if needed. It's OK to say, "Please don't send me these kinds of things anymore. I can't handle it right now, it's too stressful." But remember to keep the relationship going, and don't let go of him on an emotional level.
Now, what if my uncle's stories bother me so much?You can demand that he considers what it triggers in you. Start the conversation by saying, "Hey, this really scares me." Or "I'm shocked when I read that." Honest self-revelation is important. Reframing the situation a bit might also help.
Alright, let me explain how you can manage that. Imagine you have a cat that brings you a dead mouse. Maybe your uncle is sending you the fake news because you're particularly important to him, perhaps even wants to protect or warn you. You can throw the content in the trash, but you don't have to punish the cat for bringing it to you. Instead, ask questions like, "Why is this so important to you?" or "What made you do it?" This helps you take a different stance and gives more room for the relationship, despite the differences.
So, can I be throwing the content in the trash while still maintaining a relationship with my uncle? Yes, I've really seen often that especially important reference persons are the ones who are flooded with fake news.
What if nothing else helps? If the conversation becomes difficult, you can set boundaries. Make it clear that you're not breaking off the contact because of his opinion, but because he's not respecting your boundaries. :wink:
Remember, it's all about showing interest in the person, not the conspiracy theories. Take a look at what's still working with your uncle. Maybe he's not just sending these contents, but is generally in contact mode. Then counteract by sending him something completely different that interests him, like a video about gardening or traveling. :heart:
Sarah Pohl heads the Central Advisory Office for Worldview Questions in the state of Baden-Württemberg, known as ZEBRA. Together with Mirijam Wiedemann, who heads the business office for dangerous religious-worldview offers at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in Baden-Württemberg, she has written a book: "Lost, radicalized, lost? The 50+ generation in the grip of echo chambers."
- I've been faced with a problem concerning the Commission, as my uncle has been frequently sharing misleading news on social-media platforms, particularly WhatsApp.
- In attempting to address this issue, I've found the key is to approach the conversation with empathy and a genuine interest in understanding his feelings and concerns, rather than engaging in an argumentative exchange.
- Populism and distrust in technology, especially cybersecurity, seem to play a significant role in the spread of fake news among older generations, and addressing these underlying concerns is essential for broaching the subject.
- In an effort to maintain a productive conversation, I try to subtly offer alternative sources of information by casually mentioning "there are other sources too," rather than directly challenging the validity of the content he shares.
- Through my interactions with my uncle, I've observed that he's not only sharing these fake news articles, but is generally quite active on social-media, particularly enjoying conversation, entertainment, and discussions related to his hobbies and travel experiences.
