The Counselor's Role in the Age of Social Media and Fake News

The depth of research regarding the connections between social media, individual wellbeing, and relationship conduct is growing with each passing year. As a new medium that provides connection with others and offers the ability to represent oneself, social media can provide simple, easily digested modes of understanding to individuals and groups. However, both Internet "trolls" and extremist groups have successfully spread fear, anger, and misinformation among those who seek answers online. They do so by creating content that looks trustworthy and is easily shared, encouraging emotional tumult, and in some cases, advocating for violence. Counselors need to add their voices and knowledge to the broader discussion of these dynamics and how they impact the clients they encounter in their communities. In this article, the authors aggregate research from various fields in order to promote counselor attention to these matters, encourage social action and advocacy among counselors, and provide early recommendations which counselors can incorporate into their practices.