Containment measures have led to an unprecedented boom in online connections and exchanges. On some applications like WhatsApp or Instagram, the number of messages sent has increased by more than 50% in a few weeks. Faced with the need to keep in touch with loved ones, many platforms are bringing new tools to share information and offer entertaining creations online.
Better information starts with combating disinformation. The dissemination of false information is one of the main biases of the coronavirus pandemic. Message chains and advice from a "friend of a friend" who knows an infectious disease specialist or a research litter abound on instant messaging. To curb this massive sharing of fake news in friendly and family circles, WhatsApp messaging has partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch an information chat bot called "Heath Alert". This new automated service will provide access to a series of questions and answers on the virus as well as the latest information and figures on the pandemic. Available soon in France, it already allows Americans to receive health alerts from the WHO directly on their smartphones.
Direct verification tool
In parallel, WhatsApp messaging is currently testing a direct user verification tool. This functionality, which is still being tested for the moment, will allow Internet users to directly verify the information transmitted by their contacts. Based on an automatic online search based on the content of the message, this service will help the user to determine the reliability of this information through links and contextual elements from authoritative sources. WhatsApp launched a website on March 19 in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the United Nations program, to provide information and advice on how users can check and share reliable information with their loved ones.
The Messenger application, another instant messenger from the Facebook group, has set up a project to help health organizations and governments share official information on the coronavirus with the public. This program connects Messenger partner developers with government organizations that wish to share state information on the evolution of the pandemic via chat bot-type automatic messaging. Several countries are already using Facebook messaging to communicate information about the Covid-19 to citizens, such as Pakistan or Argentina.
Recreating social ties
In addition to directing users to official sources, some applications have engaged in more entertaining actions to encourage verification of information by Internet users. The Snapchat social network wanted to get users to learn differently by launching a questionnaire on the virus on Thursday via an interactive filter. This informative game called "Covid19 Myth Busting" offers questions and answers based on information from WHO. The user can share his score with his friends and even challenge them by interposed stories. The objective will be to deconstruct in a fun way certain myths and viral “hoaxes” on social networks.
The group also announced the creation in Discover of a space dedicated to current events on the Covid-19: "Coronavirus: The Latest". This hub will gather information from the WHO, messages from the White House working group on the coronavirus as well as media reports present on Discover, such as the Washington Post or CNN. Snapchat will integrate an official chain of video capsules called "Coronavirus: Stop the Spread". She will highlight videos from official sources, clips made by researchers as well as tips & tricks from Snapchatters to manage her work or studies during confinement. To encourage behavior of social distancing, the social network has also bet on its Bitmojis, its personalized stickers to add to its photos, by proposing in particular new images promoting barrier gestures such as "Wash your hands!", "Stay at the house if you feel sick ”, or“ Don't touch your face! ”
Caption: Snapchat offers an informative questionnaire on the Covid-19 via a selfie filter - Source: Snapchat Snapchat
Other technological platforms have introduced new tools that simultaneously encourage social distancing and connection between Internet users. Instagram is promoting its video communication service on this occasion by adding a so-called co-watching function, that is, shared vision. This service called "Stay at Home" allows you to share your favorite content on Instagram remotely via video chat. The social network has also multiplied the creation of solidarity stickers for its Stories, such as “Staying at home” or “Donation” to call for the support of mobilized aid organizations.
This period of confinement has also prompted many Internet users to use messaging services and online video platforms massively for entertainment.
On TikTok, the hashtag #jerestechezmoi has 43.3 million views, including humorous clips on confinement or challenges to achieve at home. The platform decided to encourage the creation of creative and original videos by creating via its official hashtag #HappyAtHome a new video programming. Every evening, videos of celebrities and influencers are broadcast to invite users to keep their spirits up and to follow health instructions. The app also hosts live question and answer sessions with representatives from the World Health Organization.
YouTube, for its part, has set up a series of playlists in France to help Internet users better experience this period of confinement. With the hashtags #RestezChezVous and #AvecMoi, the official channel of the group offers different creators videos grouped by themes, such as "Cook With Me", "Do sports With Me" or "Work With Me". The video platform has also promoted the initiative of 80 French videographers and artists who published the video #RestezChezVous on Monday, calling for compliance with containment measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
