REUTERS INSTITUTE – 09/07/202
Dr Sílvia Majó-Vázquez
Professor Rasmus Kleis Nielsen
Dr Joan Verdú
Nandan Rao
Dr Manlio De Domenico
Dr Omiros Papaspiliopoulos
In this RISJ Factsheet, we assess the volume and patterns of toxic conversations on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. We specifically analyse worldwide conversations on Twitter targeting the World Health Organization (WHO), a central actor during the pandemic. Our analysis contributes to the current research on the health of online debates amid the increasing role of social media as a critical entrance to information and mediator of public opinion building.