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How can crowdsourcing aid in battling the COVID-19 pandemic?

What is Crowdsourcing?

Crowdsourcing is a distributed online problem-solving and innovative sourcing paradigm where participants of online communities collaborate to accomplish a common objective (Vermicelli et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2022). It supplements conventional data gathering by collecting massive amounts of data and information from individuals worldwide.

Crowdsourcing Initiatives for COVID-19 Pandemic

Crowdfight

An endeavour spearheaded by the scientific community with the intention of mobilizing all accessible resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic (Vermicelli et al., 2020). It is designed for COVID-19 researchers who wish to submit a brief description of their inquiries or projects. The request may involve anything from a straightforward but time-consuming task (e.g., data transcription) to the resolution of a technical inquiry that exceeds their area of expertise or the establishment of a collaborative relationship. Further, another scientist within the community will try to comprehend and fulfill the demand.

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COVID Near You

Created by Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, which allows individuals to report symptoms in real-time by ZIP code (Zhang et al., 2022). Using crowdsourced data, it maps existing and future pandemic areas to help local, online communities and public health organizations track disease progression. Public reporting of COVID-19 signs may supplement public health monitoring and assist people in determining where symptoms are happening in their community (Fliesler, 2020).

Open Innovability - Call4Ideas COVID-19 Challenge

The crowdsourcing platform Open Innovability by Enel hosts the Call4Ideas COVID-19 Challenge, launched by Marzotto Venture Accelerator and Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome (Vermicelli et al., 2020, p. 186). This is an open invitation to everyone within the online communities who has innovative projects or ideas that could potentially turned into an entrepreneurial endeavour to assist the Italian system in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This challenge encompasses various areas, including medical and personal protective equipment, telemedicine and home care, diagnostics, therapy and post-therapy.

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Types of Crowdsourcing

While there are four main types of crowdsourcing, this blog will specifically delve into one of them, which is crowdfunding (Cricelli et al., 2021).

Crowdfunding: Soliciting financial contributions and investments for charitable endeavours, initiatives, and entrepreneurial ventures, without the intention of providing monetary returns to the contributors (SendPulse, 2023).

Crowdfunding Campaigns for COVID-19

MaybankHeart-MERCY

The objective of the campaign was to generate financial resources for Mercy Malaysia's COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan which offers crucial assistance to Malaysia's healthcare system by providing medical supplies and other vital necessities (Maybank, 2020). Additionally, it aims to support frontliners and volunteers, who are actively combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it would furnish vital provisions and support to marginalized factions within the community, guaranteeing their access to aid throughout the MCO. In only two weeks, Maybank and Mercy Malaysia received almost RM300,000 for their ‘COVID-19 Pandemic Fund’ after public support. Donations are processed via the online banking platform Maybank2u.

Asnaf Care

Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah (LZNK) developed Asnaf Care, a virtual crowdfunding platform that was introduced on March 26, 2020, to raise money for asnaf (have-nots Muslim) in Negeri Kedah who suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 18 March 2020, Asnaf Care has asked the local and online communities to help distribute food to individuals experiencing food shortages under the Restriction Movement Order (Eldersevi & Muhammad, 2021).

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Crowdsourcing Initiatives to Combat Infodemic during COVID-19 Pandemic

The proliferation of misinformation persisted without restraint on publicly accessible social media platforms such as Facebook. In Malaysia, Facebook, and Twitter have spread the misleading concepts that alkaline foods may treat COVID-19 (Yang, 2021). In response to the difficulties posed by the infodemic, crowdsourcing endeavours have prioritized the development of websites containing reliable data and information about COVID-19, with the backing of established fact-checking efforts.

CoronaTracker.com

CoronaTracker.com was established in late January 2020, during a period when widespread reports of COVID-19 compelled communities to attempt in comprehending the situation (Yang, 2021). Malaysian data scientist utilized LinkedIn, Facebook, and Telegram to recruit individuals from online communities to cooperate on pandemic remedies, receiving responses from across the globe. The site shows worldwide COVID-19 outbreak statistics, including reported cases, recovery, and fatalities in impacted nations.

KawalCOVID19

KawalCOVID19 is another crowdsourcing initiative that adopts data-centric methodologies to provide precise and reliable information about COVID-19 in Indonesia (Yang, 2021). Its webpage has current information on confirmed cases, medication, recovery, and mortality. Notably, KawalCOVID19 reviews its portal content with medical community including doctors, virologists and epidemiologists to assure accuracy. Moreover, KawalCOVID19 provides links access to the authoritative sites of World Health Organization and official Indonesian government site. In an effort to counteract falsehoods associated with the pandemic, KawalCOVID19 and the Indonesian Anti-Slander Community (Mafindo) collectively gathered deceptive information from unidentified volunteers to verify its accuracy.

In conclusion, crowdsourcing has been shown to be a crucial asset in combating COVID-19 in physical and online communities, providing a wide range of viable alternatives. It facilitates the accumulation of real-time information and the development of innovative approaches by enabling global community collaboration through online crowdsourcing initiatives such as Crowdfight, COVID Near You and Open Innovability. Additionally, the ability of crowdfunding initiatives such as MaybankHeart-MERCY and Asnaf Care to amass financial backing for COVID-19 is underscored. Concurrently, crowdsourcing effectively negates misinformation through the provision of accurate information within online communities, as exemplified by initiatives such as KawalCOVID19 and CoronaTracker.com. Fundamentally, crowdsourcing manifests itself as a complex entity, capitalizing on collaborative endeavours to efficiently address the obstacles posed by COVID-19.

What do you think? Can COVID-19 pandemic be addressed through crowdsourcing?

Yes

No

Voting ended onDec 1, 2023

List of References

Cricelli, L., Grimaldi, M., & Vermicelli, S. (2021). Crowdsourcing and open innovation: a systematic literature review, an integrated framework and a research agenda. Review of Managerial Science, 16, 1269–1310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-021-00482-9

Crowdfight. (n.d.). https://crowdfight.org/

Eldersevi, S., & Muhammad, M. (2021). Asnaf care: A case study of the Malaysian-based charity crowdfunding platform to combat the impact of COVID-19. Indonesian Conference of Zakat - Proceedings, 615-626. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37706/iconz.2021.309

Enel. (2020). CALL4IDEAS COVID-19 challenge-campus bio-medico university of Rome and marzotto venture accelerator. https://openinnovability.enel.com/challenges/call/2020/4/call-4-ideas-covid-19-challenge

Fliesler, N. (2020, April 9). Crowdsourcing COVID-19. Harvard Medical School. https://hms.harvard.edu/news/crowdsourcing-covid-19

INCEIF. (2023). Asnaf care: A case study of the Malaysian-based charity crowdfunding platform to combat the impact of COVID-19. https://inceif.edu.my/2022/12/20/asnaf-care-a-case-study-of-the-malaysian-based-charity-crowdfunding-platform-to-combat-the-impact-of-covid-19/

Maybank. (2020). Generous donors raise over RM300,000 in MaybankHeart-MERCY crowdfunding campaign against COVID-19. https://www.maybank.com/en/news/2020/04/07.page

SendPulse. (2023). Crowdsourcing. https://sendpulse.com/support/glossary/crowdsourcing

Vermicelli, S., Cricelli, L., & Grimaldi, M. (2020). How can crowdsourcing help tackle the COVID‐19 pandemic? An explorative overview of innovative collaborative practices. R&D Management, 51(2), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12443

Yang, J. (2021). Crowdsourcing during the infodemic: Technology and ground-up initiatives during COVID-19. Medium. https://medium.com/digital-asia-ii/crowdsourcing-during-the-infodemic-technology-and-ground-up-initiatives-during-covid-19-603e6d1fb792

Zhang, S. I., Meng, J., & Huang, R. (2022). Reporting COVID-19 via crowdsourcing: The US vs. China. In Xu, X. (Ed.), Coping with COVID-19, the mobile way (pp. 119-138). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5787-1_6

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Case Study on China

The Great Firewall of China

The Chinese government has voiced worries about the internet since 1998, viewing it as a potential source of social and political challenges to the regime's cultural values and ideology (Cawford, 2023). In response, China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) directed the Golden Shield project, which was started in 1998 and finished in 2006 (Open Society Institute, n.d.). This initiative is a regulatory framework accompanied by an extensive system of internet censorship. According to Kerner, the western media has called it "The Great Firewall of China”, implying that it encompasses a set of tools, services, and regulations that the government of the People’s Republic of China uses to prevent access to specific online information by individuals who are physically inside its boundaries.

If you've read this far, you might be wondering how the Great Firewall of China blocks content.

The Great Firewall of China uses various methods to block content. It inspects internet traffic entering and leaving China, blocking entire domains and IP address ranges. Additionally, when a user attempts to search for the blocked keywords and phrases, the Great Firewall will block and redirect the website query in a way that does not let the user access the requested information. Additionally, the firewall also actively scans network connections for potential proxy IPs used to bypass it, such as VPNs or Tor privacy networks (Kerner, n.d.).

Criticism and Concerns of the Great Firewall of China

The Chinese government has come under criticism from numerous human rights organisations for the extensive and invasive state monitoring methods used by the Great Firewall. Critics argued that China has restricted its citizens' freedom of access to information sources by enforcing the Great Firewall's strict censorship (Gisonna, 2023). To illustrate, Google holds less than a 2% market share in China, primarily due to government restrictions, with Baidu being the dominant search engine service (Seth, 2022). In March 2009, the Chinese government also banned access to YouTube after the dissemination of videos regarding security personnel beating protestors in Tibet, a region of China (Zed Biz, 2023).

According to Gisonna (2023), in spite of the Great Firewall facing criticism, numerous technology firms have yielded to the Chinese government's self-censorship guidelines, adapting their products to align with Chinese regulations. For example, Microsoft Corporation has produced an altered version of its web search engine, Bing.

China’s powerful app - WeChat

WeChat was developed by Chinese technology giant Tencent Group and was first introduced in 2011 (Sapra, 2019).

As per Zhang (2018), WeChat has evolved beyond its original purpose as a messaging and social networking app. Tencent has effectively transformed WeChat into a super app, serving as a comprehensive platform where users can seamlessly access a multitude of authorized third-party services. These services range from tasks like ride-hailing, purchasing movie tickets, ordering food delivery, booking hotels, paying bills, and many other functionalities. Long story short, it is nearly impossible to do anything without access to WeChat nowadays (Sapra, 2019).

Tencent (2018) argued that “WeChat aims to embed itself in every moment of the user's daily life, from morning till night, anytime, anywhere.”

Why WeChat fails when expanding abroad?

The majority of features of WeChat were constrained due to the absence of collaboration with local suppliers to offer those services. This is why WeChat is losing its competitive edge and transforming into merely another messaging application (Seppam, 2023).

Simultaneously, as per Medium (2019), WeChat's failure can be attributed to its delayed entry into the foreign market. By the time WeChat ventured into the international market in April 2012, WhatsApp had already surpassed its innovation period, spanning from 2009 to 2011. This indicates that WeChat faced limited growth opportunities to capture the global market.

Social Credit System in China

China's social credit system comprises databases and initiatives designed to monitor and evaluate the reliability of individuals, businesses, government entities, and the judiciary (Lee, 2020). It was formally introduced to the public in 2014 with the unveiling of the Outline for the Construction and Planning of the Social Credit System. In addition to looking at financial history and activity, that similar to credit rating systems in other nations, it also considers things like unethical behaviour and legal infractions (Koty & Huld, 2023).

A credit score may benefit from making good contributions to society through the establishment of social programmes, donations to charitable organisations, or other corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. A high credit score may grant access to discounted public housing or priority medical care. Conversely, engaging in such undesirable behaviour as dishonest or unlawful taxation, misleading customer behaviour, and so forth, may result in a low rating and adverse outcomes including being barred from trains and aeroplanes (Lee, 2020).

Is the social credit system a way to instill good behaviour and provide safety to citizens?

From my point of view, the opinions on this question are diverse. Supporters argue that the Social Credit System could potentially improve overall societal conduct by promoting trust and integrity. They suggest that by rewarding responsible behaviour and penalising misconduct, the system could contribute to a safer and more orderly society.

On the other hand, critics express concerns about privacy violations, the potential for abuse of power, and the impact on individual freedoms. The system involves extensive surveillance and data collection, raising worries about government intervening into citizens' lives. There are fears that the system could be used for social and political control, suppressing dissent, and restricting individual freedoms.

In general, the goal of China's social credit system is to ensure that residents and companies doing business there adhere to local laws and regulations (Velocity Global, 2023). It is important to strive for a balance between the potential benefits of improved societal behaviour and the protection of individual rights.

References:

Crawford, D. (2023, February 3). What is the Great Firewall of China and how does it work. Proton VPN Blog. https://protonvpn.com/blog/great-firewall-china/

Gisonna, N. (2023, September 21). Great Firewall. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Firewall

Kerner, S. M. (n.d.). Great firewall of China. WhatIs.com. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Great-Firewall-of-China

Koty, A. C. & Huld, A. (2023, March 24). China’s social credit system: What businesses need to know. China Briefing News. https://www.china-briefing.com/news/chinas-social-credit-system-how-it-works/

Lee, A. (2020, August 9). What is China’s social credit system and why is it controversial? South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3096090/what-chinas-social-credit-system-and-why-it-controversial

Medium. (2019, November 19). Identify and explore why “WeChat” failed internationally. https://medium.com/@uncigolini/identify-and-explore-why-wechat-failed-internationally-605cff5043d9

Sapra, B. (2019, December 21). This Chinese super-app is Apple’s biggest threat in China and could be a blueprint for Facebook’s future. Here’s what it’s like to use WeChat, which helps a billion users order food and hail rides. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-superapp-wechat-best-feature-walkthrough-2019-12

Seppam, M. (2023, April 5). How China’s Super-App WeChat Failed in USA and Europe.  Why do other successful local apps fail when expanding abroad? https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-chinas-super-app-wechat-failed-usa-europe-why-do-other-seppam/

Seth, S. (2022, December 31). Baidu vs. Google: What's the Difference. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/051215/baidu-vs-google-how-are-they-different.asp#:~:text=Google%20has%20a%20strong%2C%20dominant,government%20has%20restricted%20its%20use.

Velocity Global. (2023, October 6). The Chinese Social Credit System: What to know as a business owner. https://velocityglobal.com/resources/blog/chinese-social-credit-system/

Zhang, M. (2018, March 26). China’s WeChat: The Power of the Super App. Medium. https://medium.com/@miaozhenzhang666/chinas-wechat-the-power-of-the-super-app-dc144657625e

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Do toxic fans in some online spaces make it difficult to become or identify as a fan?

The study of fan culture has a long history, with academic origins linking back to Beatlemania and Star Trek in the 1960s (Rebels, 2021). The digital era has ushered in a new era for fan culture, allowing enthusiasts to create a constant stream of content centered around their passions. Despite being divided by borders and oceans, fans from all over the world have come together on social media to support their favorites' sportsmen, singers, actors, and franchises (Moore, 2023).

But the enthusiasm is frequently accompanied by bad behaviour that spreads like an unregulated infection across fan networks, giving rise to toxic fandoms. Taylor (2023) claims that most negative fandom behaviours take place on online places, especially Twitter.

Fandom culture turns toxic is due to negative decisions made by individuals within these communities. Toxic fandom in online spaces can indeed make it challenging for individuals to become or openly identify as fans as toxic fan actions encompass a range of behaviours, including but not limited to harassment, bullying, gatekeeping, entitlement, and bigotry. These behaviours not only tarnish the image of the fandom but also inflict harm on everyone involved, from the fans to the actors and the creative professionals working behind the scenes.

Understanding Toxic Fandom Dynamics

Possessiveness

Possessiveness among toxic fans means they believe they own the content they're fans of, acting as if it's exclusively theirs. They see it as their territory, unlike respectful fans who understand appreciation doesn't grant ownership. In Japan, toxic fans of pop idol girls exhibit possessiveness, stalking and harassing the girls if displeased with their choices. This possessive mentality leads to attacks and threats (Lefler, 2023).

Entitlement

Entitlement goes right along with possessiveness, as toxic fans believe they own what or whom they're fans of, expecting creators to fulfil their demands. For instance, they might insist on a specific romantic pairing in a show and send death threats if not met. In contrast, a good fan may express preferences but understands creators may not always comply. They acknowledge not owning the content and respect creators' rights to decide the creative direction. Sometimes, fans identify with likable but flawed characters as a justification for their own negative behaviour (Lefler, 2023).

Feeling of Superiority

Toxic fans often feel superior to less intense or casual fans, even labelling them as "normies" or "Muggles." Wearing a show's t-shirt without being obsessive is frowned upon. They perceive non-fans as unintelligent and shallow, unable to fully appreciate what they're passionate about. This sense of superiority is based on linking fandom to intelligence. In contrast, healthy fans accept diverse preferences, understanding that people enjoy different things. Ironically, the fans who boast the most about their intelligence are often the least intelligent among those who share the same interest. Despite being a minority, they tend to attract media attention (Lefler, 2023).

Toxic Fandoms on Creative Industries

No one sets out to make an inferior film or perform poorly. Everybody involved in these projects gives it their all, and they are typically ardent supporters of the project they are working on.

Criticizing their efforts without offering constructive feedback and highlighting positives can leave creators feeling demoralized. After fans criticized the 2023 film Shazam! Fury of the Gods and targeted director David F. Sandberg, he expressed a desire to distance himself from future superhero discussions due to the toxicity he faced (Moore, 2023). This negativity prompted other filmmakers to share similar feelings.

Toxic fandoms can seriously impact creators. Jake Lloyd, star of The Phantom Menace, retired from acting, citing public response and bullying as major reasons. Ahmed Best, Lloyd's co-star, faced emotional struggles after enduring years of attacks related to his character, Jar Jar Binks, in Star Wars films. He revealed feeling "alone" and contemplating ending his own life.

The Future of Toxic Fandom

Regrettably, fandom has become increasingly polarized by issues like diversity and representation, much like they have in many other areas of American and other communities today (Vinney, 2022). Because of this, it appears likely that some fans will persist in disparaging and provoking anyone who supports inclusivity, including other fans and media creators, by mockingly labelling them as "SJWs", which is social justice warriors.

However, it's important to keep in mind that while bad actors frequently yell the loudest on social media, and their negative behaviour is further amplified by publicity, the majority of fans are not toxic. Creating an environment that prevents individuals from engaging in toxic fandom is achievable (Nieto, 2023). Platforms and fan communities could work together to enforce rules against mean behaviour and create more positive spaces. Fans themselves may take the lead in promoting respectful interactions and inclusivity. Celebrities and media might become more active in discouraging toxic behaviour. The key to a healthier online fan experience will likely involve a combination of collective efforts from various stakeholders.

List of References

Lefler, R. (2023, March 18). What’s toxic fandom and what creates it. Reel Rundown. https://reelrundown.com/misc/5-Factors-that-Can-Cause-Toxic-Fandom-to-Arise

Moore, B. (2023, March 28). Toxic Fandoms: when passion turns to poison. Agents of Fandom. https://agentsoffandom.com/toxic-fandoms-when-passion-is-poison/#:~:text=Toxic%20fandoms%20arise%20due%20to%20negative%20choices%20made%20by%20the,gatekeeping%2C%20entitlement%2C%20and%20bigotry.

Nieto, A. (2023, April 12). To stan or not to stan: when fan culture turns toxic. Baylor College of Medicine. https://www.bcm.edu/news/to-stan-or-not-to-stan-when-fan-culture-turns-toxic#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPeople%20sometimes%20invest%20hundreds%20or,in%20toxic%20fandom%20is%20achievable.

Rebels, G. (2021, July 26). The power of fandom: what social media marketers can learn from teenage fans. Medium. https://medium.com/@goodrebels/the-power-of-fandom-what-social-media-marketers-can-learn-from-teenage-fans-63c0e184c8a7

Taylor, V. (2023, January 31). Toxic fandom: what is it. Medium. https://medium.com/change-becomes-you/toxic-fandom-what-is-it-c8c1520beb06#:~:text=In%20recent%20years%2C%20journalists%2C%20news,seen%20as%20inappropriate%20and%20unpleasant.

Vinney, C. (2022, January 19). What is toxic fandom. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-fandom-5214499#toc-the-future-of-toxic-fandom

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Can crowdsourced information during COVID-19 pandemic mobilise the public into action?

Crowdsourcing is the process of exploring customers’ ideas, opinions, and thoughts available on the internet from large groups of people aimed at incorporating innovation, implementing new ideas, and eliminating product issues (Send Pulse, 2023).

Below are the four main types of crowdsourcing:

With the rise of social media platforms, crowdsourcing became a powerful tool for mobilizing the public. It involves communities worldwide in responding to emergencies and managing natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, floods and even major global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crowdsourcing initiatives to face Covid-19 crisis

As noted by World Health Organization (2018), crowdsourcing is increasingly contributing to the improvement of public health since it facilitates the mobilization of a diverse community through communication and collaboration (Nguyen et al., 2019). Also, crowdsourced research and development have proven valuable in the field of medical research (Callaghan, 2015). Additionally, crowdsourcing has been crucial in tackling the challenges of COVID-19 crisis by uniting the efforts of individuals, organizations, and communities.

Crowdfight COVID-19

First, Crowdfight COVID‐19 is an initiative within the scientific community aimed at mobilizing resources to combat COVID‐19. Researchers working on COVID-19 can share a wish or a task to explain their request. The request can go from simple time‐consuming task like data transcription to technical question beyond their expertise, or to setup a collaboration. Fellow scientists in the community then strive to understand and fulfil these requests (Vermicelli et al., 2021).

Call4Ideas COVID-19

The Openinnovability platform, created by Enel, is hosting the Call4Ideas COVID‐19 Challenge in collaboration with Marzotto Venture Accelerator and Campus Bio‐Medico University of Rome. This challenge invites individuals and companies to submit ideas that can be transformed into entrepreneurial projects or to share existing innovative projects that can help address the COVID-19 crisis in Italy. The competition covers various areas such as medical equipment, data analysis, telemedicine, and cybersecurity, with a deadline for participation on May 31, 2020 (Vermicelli et al., 2021).

Kaggle’s CORD-19

Kaggle's CORD-19 project aims to provide the global research community with a comprehensive and regularly updated dataset for applying recent AI techniques. Researchers can post complex data analysis problems with monetary rewards for the best solutions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaggle has made the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19) freely available, containing over 59,000 scientific articles, including more than 47,000 full-text articles related to COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and related coronaviruses. They also encourage AI experts to develop text and data mining tools to support the medical community in their ongoing battle against COVID-19 (Vermicelli et al., 2021).

The classification of the initiatives has been analyzed as follows:

Source: (Vermicelli et al., 2021)

From the information provided above, we can see that one of the common tasks of crowdsourcing in health is surveillance and the aggregation of information in a unified format. The mix of resources and contributions of the public, together with financial support from public sponsors is structured and coordinated by the intermediary platform. This process leads to the generation of fresh insights, inventive solutions, and the facilitation of cooperation among diverse and complementary stakeholders (Vermicelli et al., 2021).

Will the impact of fake news on social media influence crowdsourcing initiatives?

The utilization of social media and search queries to gather information about the progression of diseases is continuously expanding, encompassing platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google Trends, Bing, Yahoo, and others (Depoux et al., 2020). This has given rise to information overload, coupled with the proliferation of deceptive and false news, commonly referred to as 'fake news' (FN). In the twenty-first century, fake news has become a prominent term to describe misinformation disseminated by mass media, predominantly on social platforms, which now play an increasingly integral role in people's daily lives (Naeem et al., 2020). The prevalence of false news has consequences for public health as it fuels panic among people and erodes trust in the scientific community among the public (Rocha et al., 2021).

From my point of view, the influence of fake news on social media can significantly impact crowdsourcing initiatives. Fake news and misinformation can undermine the quality and credibility of data collected via crowdsourcing platforms, making it harder to obtain accurate information. Distrust issues may arise, causing people to be skeptical about their involvement in such initiatives. Information overload and manipulation by malicious actors using fake news can further complicate the mobilization of crowdsourced efforts. To mitigate these challenges, crowdsourcing organizers can implement enhanced verification processes, promote transparency, engage with the community, and educate participants about media literacy. Overall, addressing the impact of fake news is crucial for maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of crowdsourcing initiatives.

References:

Rocha, Y. M., de Moura, G. A., Desidério, G. A., de Oliveira, C. H., Lourenço, F. D., & de Figueiredo Nicolete, L. D. (2021). The impact of fake news on social media and its influence on health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. Zeitschrift fur Gesundheitswissenschaften = Journal of public health, 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01658-z

Send Pulse. (2023, March 22). Crowdsourcing. https://sendpulse.com/support/glossary/crowdsourcing

Smith, T. (2023, October 06). Crowdfunding: What it is, how it works, and popular websites. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/crowdfunding.asp

Sprout Social. (n.d.). Crowdsourcing. https://sproutsocial.com/glossary/crowdsourcing/

Vermicelli, S., Cricelli, L., & Grimaldi, M. (2021). How can crowdsourcing help tackle the COVID‐19 pandemic? An explorative overview of innovative collaborative practices. R&D Management, 51(2), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12443

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Public Health Campaigns & Communities

What is public health?

Public health, as a multidisciplinary field, is dedicated to enhancing the health and overall well-being of communities (Lee, 2023). It strives to create safe environments for people to live, learn, work, and enjoy their lives. Many people mistakenly believe that public health is the same as healthcare. However, it is important to distinguish between the two, as public health focuses on entire populations with the objective of preventing illnesses and injuries, while the healthcare industry concentrates on treating individual patients who are already sick (APHA, 2023).

For example, public health is responsible for the following:

"Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals." — Winslow, 1920

The 10 Essential Public Health Services

The 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS), first created in 1994 by a federal working group, serves as the description of the activities that public health systems should undertake in all communities. EPHS is organised around the three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development and assurance. Health departments and community partners collaborators across the nation structure their work around the EPHS model, while educational institutions and public health programs also incorporate it into their teachings  (CDC, 2023).

In 2020, a revised version of the 10 EPHS was unveiled during a virtual launch event. The revised EPHS centres around equity and promotes policies that enable optimal health for all and seek to remove systemic and structural barriers such as poverty, racism, gender discrimination and others, that have resulted in health inequities (CDC, 2023).

“The revised 10 EPHS not only centres equity but acknowledges the importance of community voice and the different roles public health plays.” — Jessica Fisher, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Public Health National Center for Innovations (PHNCI).

COVID-19 and Public Health

COVID-19, caused by an infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was initially detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, a city in China's Hubei province. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial threat to nations across the world, and it is regarded as the biggest public health crisis the world has confronted in over a century (Miyah, 2022). In late 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in which countries with vulnerable healthcare facilities may be at an excessive hazard (Tabari, 2020).

In response to this crisis, many countries have enacted travel restrictions, including flight suspensions and measures to limit incoming travellers. Others have introduced social distancing and quarantine policies as well as encouraging the reduction of social interactions, postponing events, locking down schools, and isolating suspected cases. Furthermore, some regions have utilized telemedicine for remote consultations and monitoring during the outbreak (Tabari, 2020).

MySejahtera is a mobile app developed by the Malaysian government to support various aspects of public health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This app enables citizens to conduct self-health assessments, track their health status, and communicate information with the Ministry of Health (MOH), so that necessary actions could be implemented.

Here are its primary functions:

Explore https://www.maaedicare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MySejahtera_compressed.pdf for detailed function and process of using MySejahtera.

Mental Health Problem Attribute to Social Media

Last but not least, mental health is a crucial aspect of public health, and the well-being of individuals, particularly those in the 16-24 age group, is a matter of significant concern. A survey conducted in Malaysia in May 2022 revealed that a considerable portion of young respondents in this age range reported experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety over the past year (Statista Research Department, 2023). Furthermore, this research suggests that social media plays a substantial role in contributing to this mental health problem.

Source: Statista Research Department, 2023

Multiple studies have demonstrated a strong connection between heavy use of social media and the risk for mental health issues (Robinson, 2023). Social media platforms can be hotspots for the dissemination of hurtful rumours, lies and online harassment. About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media and many other users are subjected to offensive comments (Robinson, 2023). Additionally, fear of missing out (FOMO) can compel someone to pick up their phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond to every alert. When individuals prioritize online interactions over in-person relationships, they become more vulnerable to mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the influence of social media on mental health, especially among young adults. In summary, striking a balance between the advantages of digital connectivity and the preservation of mental well-being is crucial to ensure that social media serves as a positive and constructive tool in the lives of young individuals.

References:

American Public Health Association. (n.d.). What is public health. https://www.apha.org/what-is-public-health

CDC. (2021). Public health system and the 10 essential public health services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/publichealthservices/essentialhealthservices.html

C.-E. A. Winslow, The Untilled Fields of Public Health.Science51,23-33(1920).DOI:10.1126/science.51.1306.23

Lee, D., Chen, K., & Kruger, J. S. (2023, January 1). Chapter 93 - Public health (A. E. M. Eltorai, J. A. Bakal, P. C. Newell, & A. J. Osband, Eds.). ScienceDirect; Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780323903004000616

‌Malaysia: stress levels by age group 2022. (2023, August 25). Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1322323/malaysia-share-of-people-feeling-more-stressed-or-anxious-by-gender/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20survey%20on

Miyah, Y., Benjelloun, M., Lairini, S., & Lahrichi, A. (2022). COVID-19 Impact on Public Health, Environment, Human Psychology, Global Socioeconomy, and Education. TheScientificWorldJournal, 2022, 5578284. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5578284

Robinson, L., & Smith, M. (2020, September). Social Media and Mental Health - HelpGuide.org. Https://Www.helpguide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm#:~:text=Since%20it

Tabari, P., Amini, M., Moghadami, M., & Moosavi, M. (2020). International Public Health Responses to COVID-19 Outbreak: A Rapid Review. Iranian journal of medical sciences, 45(3), 157–169. https://doi.org/10.30476/ijms.2020.85810.1537

World Health Organization (WHO). (2022, June 17). Mental Health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

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[tzeming-janice]

Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram?

This is a discussion-worthy topic in the realm of digital marketing and content creation, where social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become incredibly popular and have changed the way people consume content online.

Instagram, created by Kevin Systrom in 2010, has attracted over 1 billion active users who love connecting with others through shared photos of their lives (Blystone 2022). Instagram's success can be attributed to its user-friendly interface and emphasis on photo and video sharing, which fostered deep user engagement, not only for personal entertainment but also for business.

TikTok was launched in 2016 by the Chinese technology company ByteDance. With its personalized feeds of short videos set to filters and music effects, the app is notable for its addictive quality and high level of engagement (D’souza 2023). TikTok’s functionalities differ from other platforms like Instagram and Facebook, as users can lip-sync to their favourite songs and replicate a dance routine of their choice.

What is a blog?

Blogs are regularly updated websites that offer insights into specific topics that can be used for personal expression or to meet business needs (Forsey 2023). The term ‘blog’ is a shortened version of its original name, ‘weblog’. Bloggers have the option to create their websites by purchasing a domain name or by using platforms like WordPress, which simplify the web design and publishing process (Duermyer 2022). According to Sean Callahan (2022), blogs are the pioneers of content marketing, representing one of the oldest and most enduring formats.

"Even as business content expands to myriad different channels, approaches, and platforms, the blog remains a cornerstone for brands far and wide." --- Sean Callahan (2022)

Before the social media frenzy, blogs used to dominate the content market. They began as diary-style entries for early internet users, while modern blogging has evolved into the integration of written words, photography, videos, and so on (Duermyer 2022).

Now, let’s delve into the pros of blogging!

Long-term, visible and sustainable online presence.

Blogging can significantly enhance the quality of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) by positioning your website as a valuable resource that addresses customers' inquiries (Coleman 2022). Blog posts, when crafted using a variety of SEO techniques, not only offer more opportunities for search engine ranking but also make your site more appealing to visitors. Here are some key practices:

Furthermore, evergreen content is one of the most valuable assets a blog can have, it becomes even more powerful when combined with SEO techniques. This is because it can help to rank higher in Google search results as it satisfies all quality criteria set by Google when ranking web pages (Chris 2022). To further explore, you can refer to the detailed information available at

https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2012/10/16/guide-to-evergreen-content-marketing

The nature of blogging, with its focus on evergreen content and SEO, fosters long-term, visible and sustainable online presence. This contrasts with the ephemeral nature of social media, where content can quickly become overshadowed by newer posts and algorithmic shifts.

Generate income.

Same as Instagram and TikTok, blogging can also generate revenue. For bloggers seeking to monetize their content, various revenue streams can be explored.

While TikTok may not offer the same traditional monetization avenues, it presents unique opportunities for content creators. For instance, TikTok creator fund, brand partnerships, livestream gifts, selling merchandise and cross-promotion. On the other hand, Instagram’s monetization tools include influencer marketing, bonuses, badges, subscriptions and gifts (Bretous 2022).

In the competition among these platforms, all of them offer diverse ways for generating revenue. For brands and creators aiming to maximize their earnings, adopting a combined approach that capitalizes on the strengths of both platforms can prove highly effective. By blending the dynamic and visually appealing content of TikTok and Instagram with the in-depth insights of blogging, powerful marketing strategy can be created to reach a wide range of audiences and unlocking diverse revenue streams.

Personal branding on expertise.

Blogging as one of the most effective ways to establish and showcase your personal brand as it provides a platform to delve deeply into a person’s expertise. Through well-researched and informative blog posts, bloggers can spotlight their comprehensive knowledge on specific topics (AIContentfy team 2023). By exploring your expertise, you can connect with like-minded individuals and build relationships within your blogging community. This, in turn, allows you to expand your network and reach a wider audience. Besides, blogs tend to be more discoverable through search engines, leads to long-term personal branding efforts.

On the other hand, TikTok and Instagram are highly visual platforms, personal branding often heavily relies on visual identity such as personal style and creativity to capture more attention from audience. TikTok and Instagram are also designed for short-form content and users on these platforms are often more reliant on recent trends, catering to audiences with shorter attention spans.

So, is blogging still relevant?

In my humble opinion, the answer is definitely YES!

Blogging's enduring relevance in the age of TikTok and Instagram is rooted in its ability to offer depth, expertise, and long-term value to both content creators and their audiences. While social media platforms excel in providing quick, visual content and fostering engagement, blogs serve as a complementary medium that allows for comprehensive and accurate exploration of topics, credibility building, and sustained online presence.

Lastly, don't forget the fact that Instagram and TikTok could ban or delete your account. However, with a blog, you have total control, and you never have to worry about it being hacked or taken away.

What about your thoughts? Feel free to share!

References:

AIContentfy Team 2023, ‘Building a strong personal brand through blogging’, AIContentfy, viewed 25 September 2023, < https://aicontentfy.com/en/blog/building-strong-personal-brand-through-blogging>

Blystone 2022, ‘Instagram: What it is, its history, and how the popular app works’, Investopedia, viewed 24 September 2023, <https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/102615/story-instagram-rise-1-photo0sharing-app.asp#:~:text=The%20Instagram%20app%20was%20launched,25%2C000%20users%20in%20one%20day>

Bretous 2022, ‘Instagram monetization: 5 ways to make money on the app’, HubSpot, viewed 25 September 2023, <https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/instagram-monetization>

Callahan 2022, ‘Why blogs are the OG of content marketing: 10 compelling stats and quotes’, LinkedIn Collective, viewed 24 September 2023, < https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-blogs-og-content-marketing-10-compelling-stats-quotes-callahan/>

Chris 2022, ‘What is evergreen content and why it’s important for your blog success’, Reliable Soft, viewed 23 September 2023, <https://www.reliablesoft.net/what-is-evergreen-content/#:~:text=Evergreen%20content%20is%20important%20because,help%20you%20get%20more%20links.>

Coleman 2022, ‘Blog SEO: How to search engine optimize your blog content’, HubSpot, viewed 25 September 2023, <https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/blog-search-engine-optimization>

D’souza 2023, ‘TikTok: What it is, how it works, and why it’s popular’, Investopedia, viewed 24 September 2023, <https://www.investopedia.com/what-is-tiktok-4588933#:~:text=The%20app%20was%20launched%20in,daily%20users%20by%20early%202022>

Duermyer 2022, ‘What is blogging?’, The Balance, viewed 24 September 2023, <https://www.thebalancemoney.com/blogging-what-is-it-1794405>

Forsey 2023, ‘What’s a blog & why you need one’, HubSpot, viewed 23 September 2023,

<https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-a-blog>             

Marrs 2022, ‘What is evergreen content? A guide to long-lasting content that boosts SEO’, WordStream, viewed 25 September 2023, <https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2012/10/16/guide-to-evergreen-content-marketing>

XeXead 2023, ‘Blogging vs. TikTok: A comparative analysis for monetization opportunities’, Medium, viewed 25 September 2023, <https://medium.com/@xexead44/blogging-vs-tiktok-a-comparative-analysis-for-monetization-opportunities-c4b99f7975f5#:~:text=While%20TikTok%20may%20not%20offer,and%20engagement%20their%20videos%20receive>