User:BZPN/WikiProject Reliable Sources/Social Media

Social media sources — like Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and Quora — are not reliable sources for Wikipedia, especially Simple English Wikipedia. These platforms do not have the editorial checks needed to ensure facts, and often contain unchecked or false information. Here’s why we should avoid using social media as sources and why other options are better.

Why Social Media Should Not Be Used as Sources on Wikipedia

1. Reliability Issues

Social media allows anyone to post information without fact-checking. For example, Instagram verifies accounts, but this only shows who the person is—not if their posts are true. By using social media as sources, Wikipedia risks including false information.

• Example: An Instagram post might say a celebrity's birthday, but without other sources to confirm it, we can’t know if it’s true. Reliable sources like newspapers or books have fact-checking, so they are better to use.

2. Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Even if social media posts come from the person in the article, they are still primary sources. Wikipedia relies on secondary sources — sources that check and analyze facts. Primary sources alone can lead to bias or missing information.

• Example: If a celebrity announces something on Instagram, it’s better to find an article about it in a trusted newspaper. This confirms the information and adds more context. Wikipedia needs these kinds of sources to stay accurate.

3. Misinformation Risk

Sites like Quora and Reddit often mix opinions with facts, making them unreliable. These sources can easily spread false information, which Simple English Wikipedia should avoid. Our readers deserve content that is clear, simple, and correct.

4. Better Alternatives

If information is found on social media, editors should confirm it with a secondary source. Good alternatives include trusted newspapers, academic journals, and official publications. Blocking unreliable domains protects Wikipedia’s quality.

In summary, using social media as sources can harm Wikipedia’s credibility. Simple English Wikipedia should always use trusted, third-party sources, or leave out information if no reliable source exists.

5. Better to Leave Out Information than Use Weak Sources

When reliable sources are unavailable, it is better to leave out information than to use sources that may be inaccurate. Social media can sometimes seem convenient, but it brings risks that can harm Wikipedia’s quality and reputation. When we rely on weak sources, we might mislead readers, especially on Simple English Wikipedia, where content should be clear, accurate, and simple.

Including questionable information just to fill a gap goes against Wikipedia's goal of sharing verified knowledge. If something cannot be confirmed by a solid, reliable source, it’s best not to include it at all. This approach upholds Wikipedia’s standards and respects readers’ trust.

Created by: BZPN (talk) 08:59, 1 November 2024 (UTC)