The rise of viral emergency claims, however, has complicated the public’s ability to discern genuine warnings from digital noise. Social media platforms, while useful for the rapid dissemination of legitimate updates from the New Jersey State Police or the Governor’s Office, are also breeding grounds for unofficial posts that lack crucial context. A post labeled “BREAKING” often triggers an emotional response that bypasses the reader’s critical thinking. In many instances, these viral posts are recycled screenshots from previous years or different geographic locations, repurposed to generate engagement or “clickbait.” The speed at which these posts circulate often creates a “lag time” during which panic can spread before a formal fact-check can be issued. Continue reading…
