Sometimes I Hit Retweet Without Actually Reading
Start writing a post
Politics

Sometimes I Hit Retweet Without Actually Reading

How much of the information that I'm reading is true?

136
Sometimes I Hit Retweet Without Actually Reading
Instagram

As I catch myself using social media to obtain news more often, I find myself wondering how much of my information is actually true.

Over the last week and a half, the hashtag #wherearethechildren started spreading around social media. This is in regards to the reports that United States federal authorities lost track of 1,500 migrant children that were attempting to cross the US/Mexico border.

There has been a lot of confusion surrounding this issue - how can the government just lose 1,500 children?

There has been a spread of false information and claims that these children were being separated from their parents. People took to social media and brought attention to the issue.

Last month, an official with the Department of Health and Human Services spoke out saying that a federal agency had lost track of 1,475 minors who had crossed the border on their own and been placed with adult sponsors here in the U.S. These children were not being separated from their families, but came here alone. The children were claimed to be lost because the government, for whatever reason, wasn’t able to get into contact with the sponsors.

The way that the information was being spread on social media made it seem like these children were being separated from their parents and then the government suddenly lost track of where they had gone.

The entire situation made me think about how easy it is to get caught up in all of the information that is spread around the internet, but how it’s important to make the effort to go through and fact check information.

However, there are children who end up being torn away from their parents at the border when they are caught by authorities. The confusion and unintentional linkage between this and the 1,500 migrant children, might be overshadowing that issue.

Early in May, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that every person crossing the southwest border illegally would be prosecuted, no matter the circumstance. Then the children are taken away, some even ultimately being rendered as unaccompanied minors when that may not be the case, and have little hope of getting into contact with their parents.

It’s so easy to see a Tweet or post on Facebook and start spreading the information you read without actually digging deep into it.

When I see things like that, my first instinct is to always retweet or share the information, but stopping to take that extra couple of minutes to actually look into it can go a long way.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40450
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25046
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950727
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

131995
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments