Evidence Over Virality: Navigating Scientific Truth in the Social Media World

Our Need for Science

We all need science. It offers evidence-based insights that help us make sense of the world and equips us with tools to navigate the challenges of an ever-evolving society, especially those we’re facing right now. Scientists are responsible for observing reality, identifying new or poorly understood phenomena, and developing strategic approaches to investigate them and, when necessary, address them. They gather large volumes of data, enough to draw reliable conclusions, and analyze it using rigorous technical expertise, grounded in mathematics, statistics, and their specialized fields. These findings are then integrated into the broader scientific landscape, generating new knowledge that directly benefits us as individuals and as a society.

Now more than ever, the production of scientific knowledge is advancing at an unprecedented pace, so rapidly, in fact, that keeping up with every new breakthrough has become a challenge. Fortunately, much of this research focuses on issues that are deeply relevant to society: health, sustainability, technological progress, and the future of the planet. Staying informed, even at a basic level, offers valuable insight for making better decisions and shaping a more resilient and informed way of life.

How Scientific Discoveries Reach the Public

The general public, and even scientists outside their own fields, learn about breakthroughs through a multi-step communication chain. It begins when experts publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals, where other scientists can critically evaluate the work and build further research upon it. After publication, press releases are crafted by universities, research institutions, or journals. These are usually written by professionals with technical knowledge who summarize the study in simpler terms, highlight its key findings, significance, and include quotes from the scientists involved. Then, science and health reporters translate this information even further. They write articles for newspapers, digital media, and social platforms, making the content accessible and engaging to the general public. At this point, interpretations may enter, and if not done carefully, this can lead to misunderstandings or oversimplifications. Finally, information is amplified by everyday users who share it when they find it interesting or relevant. In this communication chain, care and accuracy are essential to ensure the public receives scientific information that remains faithful to the original data.

Science, Social Media, and the Struggle to Identify What’s Trustworthy

Social media has become the primary platform where many young people learn about news and scientific breakthroughs. While this offers unprecedented access to information, it also presents new challenges. The fast-paced, algorithm-driven nature of these platforms encourages quick consumption over critical thinking, making it easy for misinformation to spread. At the same time, traditional gatekeeping mechanisms, such as academic journals, editors, and expert reviewers, have been overshadowed by faster, less regulated platforms. This shift has contributed to the rise of scientific misinformation, as content is no longer filtered through the same rigorous standards. Although science can be shared on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, these spaces often blend real scientific information with entertainment, opinion, and commercial messaging. Sponsored content can mimic educational posts, and persuasive marketing can be disguised as science communication, making it harder for users to distinguish trustworthy sources from attention-grabbing noise.

Because anyone can publish content and reach wide audiences, social media lacks the filters and peer-review structures that once ensured the accuracy and credibility of scientific communication. As a result, misinformation spreads easily and virally. There is now a critical need for science media literacy: the ability to evaluate the credibility of scientific information in the digital age. This means taking time to verify facts and having the expertise to assess whether the claims are supported by sound evidence. But this kind of critical evaluation is not yet part of most people’s standard behavior online.

A Call for Science Literacy

Accessing reliable scientific information isn’t about typing a question into a search engine or being the fastest to share a trending headline. It’s about knowing where to look, how to evaluate, and being aware of the context in which that information is shared.

Channels like this Newsletter, and science communication projects in general, exist to make that process easier. We are committed to breaking down scientific knowledge into clear, engaging content while maintaining its accuracy and depth. In a world full of noise, we need tools that help us recognize truth, challenge misinformation, and empower people to make informed decisions based on evidence, not opinion. Because science is not just for scientists, it’s for everyone.