How can I make a difference? Empowering clients to combat misinformation in a divisive era

The current political climate and frustration over feeling powerless to affect macro changes has me reflecting on what social workers in a micro practice can do to create an informed America. This blog post is a breakdown of how to teach clients skills which could potentially influence future elections without crossing the line into political discourse. This is a micro strategy to promote fact-based evaluation in a client’s own environment on their terms. This may feel like too small of an action with the blaring misinformation being shared on the Internet, but small steps lead to bigger changes. This may be a subtle strategy, but it is a significant one.

I would like to be clear: by education, I do not mean addressing political topics in session or providing clients with fact sheets on divisive issues. Initiating political conversations would be unethical. When fear and misinformation underscore the basis of client voting behaviors, teaching critical thinking to inform their decisions is part of the solution.

As I have advocated for in the past, the need for a good technology assessment with clients is crucial. Assessing a client’s digital literacy is the first step in understanding the client in their environment. Including a technology assessment in the engagement phase normalizes discussion about digital resources throughout the therapeutic process.

Once a baseline for the client’s technology usage is established, social workers can integrate specific processes for the client to empower themselves about internet accuracy through research. The term “research” can be a scary term for some of our clients. Always speak in terms the client is familiar with to minimize their anxiety about technological literacy and processes.

Start by educating yourself on the validity of websites and information on the internet. Here are some resources to help:

• CARP Method: This method helps evaluate sources by looking at Currency, Authority, Relevance, and Purpose. It’s a straightforward approach that can easily be introduced to clients in plain language.
• CRAAP Method: This stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. It’s another excellent tool to evaluate resources. This video on the CRAAP Method is particularly useful.
• AllSides Media Bias Chart or the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart: These charts simplify the understanding of media biases from the Left, Center, and Right. 

Building Skills in Digital Literacy

Once the foundation for evaluating sources is established, social workers can guide clients in practicing these skills in ways that feel safe and empowering. Here are some strategies:

1. Use Analogies: Compare internet research to checking the ingredients on a food label. This can help clients understand the importance of knowing what’s “inside” the information they consume.
2. Start Small: Encourage clients to fact-check one small piece of information they’ve come across online. This could be related to a hobby, recipe, or news about their favorite TV show. The goal is to practice without triggering defensiveness or fear. If you use this truth detection technique as a normal process when the client has questions then the evaluation of social media posts or other information becomes normalized in their daily life.
3. Leverage Non-Political Examples: Share examples that resonate with the client’s interests or daily life. For instance, if they take supplements or herbal remedies, you could discuss the importance of verifying advice from credible websites about their efficacy rather than relying on random social media posts. You can advance this to the next level by helping them evaluate information about a diagnosis, treatment options, or something relevant to their treatment plan.
4. Normalize Misinformation as a Common Challenge: Remind clients that everyone can fall victim to misinformation. Emphasize that learning how to critically evaluate sources is a skill that takes time and practice.

Addressing Emotional Responses to Misinformation

Be mindful of how clients react to information discrepancies. Many clients may feel embarrassed or overwhelmed when they realize they’ve believed or shared false information. Validate their feelings and focus on the positives:

• Encourage self-compassion: Remind clients that misinformation is designed to be misleading and that it’s not a reflection of their intelligence.
• Frame learning as empowerment: Emphasize how their new skills can help them feel more in control and confident in making decisions. This could be integrated as an intervention for their treatment plan.

Using Strengths-Based Approaches

A strengths-based approach can reinforce client empowerment:

• Highlight past successes: Remind clients of times they made informed decisions or solved complex problems in other areas of their life.
• Celebrate small victories: Acknowledge when clients identify credible sources or successfully fact-check information.
• Encourage teaching others: Suggest that clients share their newfound skills with family or friends. Teaching reinforces learning and helps spread digital literacy.

As social workers, we play a vital role in helping clients navigate the overwhelming amount of information in today’s digital world. By teaching critical thinking and digital literacy skills, we can empower clients to make informed decisions without crossing ethical boundaries. These skills not only support informed voting behaviors but also foster a sense of confidence and agency in other aspects of their lives.

In a time when misinformation can feel overwhelming, we can help clients move from hopeless to hopeful by equipping them with the tools they need to discern fact from fiction. Through thoughtful engagement and education, we can make a meaningful impact without engaging in polarizing political discourse, staying true to our ethical principles while fostering positive change.