Do you follow?: How technology can exacerbate ‘information disorder’ 

Social media platforms have become crucial spaces for marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ+ youth seeking connection and support, though they simultaneously expose users to harmful misinformation and hate speech. Meta's January 2025 decision to eliminate third-party fact-checking in favor of community notes, along with removing LGBTQ+ protections, has alarmed human rights groups and journalists who point to platform algorithms' role in spreading false information and fueling real-world violence. These algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy, leading users down radicalization pathways and making misinformation difficult to correct once it spreads.