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On Doximity, a social networking site for U.S. healthcare workers, hundreds of comments on COVID-19 and vaccine-related posts are posted every day. However, it is reported that conspiracy theories or claims that are different from the facts are included even though it is a community where only medical qualification holders participate.
According to the report, Dacsimity users are limited to US medical workers, and since they have to verify their identity before participating, they are rarely posted anonymously. In addition, users like general SNS do not post their daily life and stories, but introduce medical and science-related sources and links.
The problem this time around is that there are comments on these posts, and remarks about untrue information and conspiracy discussions are spreading. For example, a doctor who opposes vaccination has said that it is child abuse for a child to wear a mask. Numerous statistical evidence, as well as many public health organizations recommend wearing a mask. It is surprising that there is a doctor who makes such irresponsible comments in a situation where children under the age of 12 are not yet allowed to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
A retired doctor who now helps vaccinate in California, said that Diximity frequently sees misinformation that is close, if not close to, that the mRNA vaccine contains microchips. There are also analyzes that comments including misinformation are related to political confrontation.
In the Diximity Community Guidelines, it is written that content that spreads false or misleading information is subject to deletion. In a statement released by email, Diximity said it supports the exchange of information on new science or the latest medical news among users, while explicitly prohibiting medical misinformation. However, no effective measures have been taken to address this.
Not long ago, the US non-profit organization FSMB (Federation of State Medical Boards) released a statement and warned that doctors who spread medical misinformation may have their licenses revoked or may be subject to disciplinary action by the National Medical Board. However, the GMSB also stated that it is responding to the dramatic increase in the number of doctors sending false information on social media, but it does not actively dispose of the subject unless there is no information or complaints from doctors, patients, and the general public.
Where to draw the boundary between healthy discussion and the spread of harmful misinformation on social media is a problem that has plagued platform operating companies for the past few years. Meanwhile, Diximity went public in June and is currently valued at more than $10 billion. Related information can be found here.
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