Global Infodemiology of COVID-19: Analysis of Google Web Searches and Instagram Hashtags.
COVID-19
Google
Instagram
coronavirus
infodemic
infodemiology
social media
Journal
Journal of medical Internet research
ISSN: 1438-8871
Titre abrégé: J Med Internet Res
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 100959882
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
25 08 2020
25 08 2020
Historique:
received:
25
05
2020
accepted:
03
08
2020
revised:
02
08
2020
pubmed:
5
8
2020
medline:
5
9
2020
entrez:
5
8
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Although "infodemiological" methods have been used in research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an examination of the extent of infodemic moniker (misinformation) use on the internet remains limited. The aim of this paper is to investigate internet search behaviors related to COVID-19 and examine the circulation of infodemic monikers through two platforms-Google and Instagram-during the current global pandemic. We have defined infodemic moniker as a term, query, hashtag, or phrase that generates or feeds fake news, misinterpretations, or discriminatory phenomena. Using Google Trends and Instagram hashtags, we explored internet search activities and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic from February 20, 2020, to May 6, 2020. We investigated the names used to identify the virus, health and risk perception, life during the lockdown, and information related to the adoption of COVID-19 infodemic monikers. We computed the average peak volume with a 95% CI for the monikers. The top six COVID-19-related terms searched in Google were "coronavirus," "corona," "COVID," "virus," "corona virus," and "COVID-19." Countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases had a higher number of COVID-19 queries on Google. The monikers "coronavirus ozone," "coronavirus laboratory," "coronavirus 5G," "coronavirus conspiracy," and "coronavirus bill gates" were widely circulated on the internet. Searches on "tips and cures" for COVID-19 spiked in relation to the US president speculating about a "miracle cure" and suggesting an injection of disinfectant to treat the virus. Around two thirds (n=48,700,000, 66.1%) of Instagram users used the hashtags "COVID-19" and "coronavirus" to disperse virus-related information. Globally, there is a growing interest in COVID-19, and numerous infodemic monikers continue to circulate on the internet. Based on our findings, we hope to encourage mass media regulators and health organizers to be vigilant and diminish the use and circulation of these infodemic monikers to decrease the spread of misinformation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Although "infodemiological" methods have been used in research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an examination of the extent of infodemic moniker (misinformation) use on the internet remains limited.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to investigate internet search behaviors related to COVID-19 and examine the circulation of infodemic monikers through two platforms-Google and Instagram-during the current global pandemic.
METHODS
We have defined infodemic moniker as a term, query, hashtag, or phrase that generates or feeds fake news, misinterpretations, or discriminatory phenomena. Using Google Trends and Instagram hashtags, we explored internet search activities and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic from February 20, 2020, to May 6, 2020. We investigated the names used to identify the virus, health and risk perception, life during the lockdown, and information related to the adoption of COVID-19 infodemic monikers. We computed the average peak volume with a 95% CI for the monikers.
RESULTS
The top six COVID-19-related terms searched in Google were "coronavirus," "corona," "COVID," "virus," "corona virus," and "COVID-19." Countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases had a higher number of COVID-19 queries on Google. The monikers "coronavirus ozone," "coronavirus laboratory," "coronavirus 5G," "coronavirus conspiracy," and "coronavirus bill gates" were widely circulated on the internet. Searches on "tips and cures" for COVID-19 spiked in relation to the US president speculating about a "miracle cure" and suggesting an injection of disinfectant to treat the virus. Around two thirds (n=48,700,000, 66.1%) of Instagram users used the hashtags "COVID-19" and "coronavirus" to disperse virus-related information.
CONCLUSIONS
Globally, there is a growing interest in COVID-19, and numerous infodemic monikers continue to circulate on the internet. Based on our findings, we hope to encourage mass media regulators and health organizers to be vigilant and diminish the use and circulation of these infodemic monikers to decrease the spread of misinformation.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32748790
pii: v22i8e20673
doi: 10.2196/20673
pmc: PMC7458585
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e20673Informations de copyright
©Alessandro Rovetta, Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 25.08.2020.
Références
J Med Internet Res. 2020 May 5;22(5):e18897
pubmed: 32325426
Brain Behav Immun. 2020 Jul;87:30-32
pubmed: 32283286
Lancet. 2020 Feb 29;395(10225):685-686
pubmed: 32059801
Life Sci Soc Policy. 2018 Jan 4;14(1):1
pubmed: 29302758
JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020 Apr 1;6(2):e18717
pubmed: 32217507
Am J Med. 2002 Dec 15;113(9):763-5
pubmed: 12517369
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 May 26;117(21):11220-11222
pubmed: 32366658
JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020 May 5;6(2):e19374
pubmed: 32338613
JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020 Apr 9;6(2):e18444
pubmed: 32250960
Am J Prev Med. 2011 May;40(5 Suppl 2):S154-8
pubmed: 21521589
J Ment Health. 2020 Apr 23;:1-8
pubmed: 32325006
Lancet. 2020 Feb 29;395(10225):686-687
pubmed: 32122469
J Med Internet Res. 2020 Apr 21;22(4):e19016
pubmed: 32287039
Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Jun;95:192-197
pubmed: 32305520