When WhatsApp Goes Wrong
Picture this: Frank Lee, a 62‑year‑old retiree, gets a frantic WhatsApp alert telling him to stay away from every corner store, mall, and even the bus stop in Singapore because COVID‑19 kits are supposedly lurking there. He then hears rumours that surgical masks are running out. He checks, and boom—nothing’s true. Busted.
Frank says, “People can chatter about anything, but what grinds me is when folks pass off wild rumours without double‑checking their facts.” And you know, with a pandemic that has already claimed over 64,000 lives globally, it’s no wonder folks’re on high‑alert. The simple spread of fake news, however, turns a sensible warning into a supermarket scramble, as shoppers rush to stock up on every cereal you can find.
Fake News: The Unexpected Panic That Turns Free‑Time into a Shopping Blitz
- Rumours of mask shortages spark a frenzy.
- Unverified lists of “danger zones” provoke panic buying.
- The result? Empty shelves, even for the most basic staples.
In 2019 Singapore added the sixth pillar—Digital Defence—to its Total Defence doctrine. The countries’ new motto? “Use technology, but stay safe.” The world has gone digital for groceries, news, and everything in between. When we ignore cyber‑hygiene or share unverified info, we risk more than just an inconvenient viral video—it could even lead to cyber‑attacks that cause power drops or personal data leaks.
Psychology 101: Fact‑Checking Is the New Air‑Freshener
The Singapore Psychological Society reminds us that we’re all “keyboard warriors” who like to vent. But taking a moment to fact‑check can calm the fire that’s going on inside our heads, especially when a headline looks too good (or too bad) to be true.
Key takeaways from their guide:
- Pause before you press “send.” Steer clear of the impulsive “send all” instinct.
- Truth‑check first. Look for corroboration from reputable sources.
- Empathise, don’t paranoia. Think about how rumours can split your community.
Gifford Chan, a 35‑year‑old clinical psychologist, warns that “better safe than sorry” attitudes can actually backfire when people don’t know the real stakes.
It’s Not All Bad News—Heart‑warming Heroes in the Trash of Lies
- Residents of Teck Ghee Parkview hand‑made sanitiser to commuters.
- A Singaporean couple splurged $1,000 on 17,000 masks and handed them out in Punggol.
- One father and his two daughters delivered food to doctors and nurses.
- Fundraisers for coffee for medical staff raised $26,000 in 48 hours.
These stories remind you that, even in the midst of headlines screaming “panic!” we can still get that extra dose of optimism.
Total Defence: One Nation, One Pulse
Every February 15th we salute the tough 1942 history on which Singapore built its resilience. The philosophy of Total Defence now also covers the mental battle against misinformation. It’s a reminder that it takes every citizen, whether a front‑line hero or a casual user, to stay alert, keep our community safe, and verify before we share.
We’re no strangers to tussles that test our mettle: from economic shocks to natural disasters, we keep pushing forward. The combination of Digital Defence and the old‑school resilience from Total Defence has shown that Singaporeans can unite, laugh, and keep moving ahead. Let’s keep our heads up, double‑check those rumours, and keep the good vibes flowing—because one nation, one heartbeat, one laugh is all that’s needed to keep the future bright.
