The vast information provided by different entities on the internet can be helpful at times. But in some instances, it can be detrimental to society. One example of this is in the UK wherein people are starting to burn 5G towers due to videos circulating online that claims the connection of 5G and the new coronavirus, aka COVID-19. According to BBC, at least three towers have been set ablaze within the last week. UK local carrier, Vodafone, confirmed that already four of its towers were targeted in the last 24 hours while another carrier, EE, said that at least one tower in Birmingham was set on fire including a non-5G tower.
Like fire, conspiracy theories easily spread out due to the circumstantial connection of things. They easily manipulate people’s minds with convincing and thought-provoking ideas that lack evidentiary support. Unfortunately, a “variety of groups” continue to spread misleading information about the harmful effects of 5G, which is COVID-19, on Facebook, among others.Â
One conspiracy suggests the reason why the coronavirus flu originated in Wuhan is because of the 5G rollout in China. Since 5G is present, the virus is also said to be present and spreading. While there’s no physical nor scientific evidence to support this claim, an independent fact-checking charity in the UK shared that 5G has lower electromagnetic radiation levels than 4G and 3G, despite using higher frequency of radio waves.Â
But then again, conspiracy theories are more interesting to the reader’s eyes than factual information. In a video shared on Twitter by a BBC reporter, workers who were installing fiber-optic lines for 5G were questioned by a stranger. Obviously, this stranger has read these conspiracy theories, saying that activating 5G will “kill people”.Â
This is the consequence of those bonkers Facebook conspiracy theories about 5G. Key workers getting harassed on the street. pic.twitter.com/5z35r6sabp
— Charlie Haynes (@charliehtweets) April 2, 2020
The world is facing enough problems right now, especially these weird times. And sharing misinformation that attracts people’s attention for shares and clicks are clearly not helping. That’s why before you click, make sure to think if what you’re sharing is verifiable, reliable, and factual.Â
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Someone should check the finding of the Vodafone engineers… these are being called arson, but it sure looks like a power failure started by shorted surge protection at the top… the wires are on fire in some pictures! How do you make wires burn? where is the evidence of arson? I think the mobile tower equipment is faulty.