Media Literacy: Understanding QAnon • L I B R A R Y

QAnon - Mormon Women for Ethical Government — Image via www.vpnsrus.com.

What is QAnon?

QAnon is a multi-faceted conspiracy theory with a core belief that President Donald Trump is helping to fight a ring of Satan-worshiping pedophiles who control the government, media, and entertainment industries. The conspiracy theory began in 2017 when an anonymous person who claimed to be a government insider, “Q,” started posting his theories on fringe social media sites.

QAnon followers believe the “deep state” is out to get the president and that high-ranking government officials are working against him. Other conspiracies promoted by QAnon supporters span a variety of topics, including COVID-19, the Illuminati, UFOs, and vaccines. Sometimes these theories are contradictory. Groups like the Anti-Defamation League have voiced concerns that some QAnon theories and social media posts spread anti-Semitic tropes.

Who is amplifying it?

QAnon conspiracies have grown in popularity during the last few years. Social media algorithms have driven people deeper into conspiracy-related content — especially during the pandemic — and prominent politicians have promoted QAnon messaging in their speeches and through their own social media sites. QAnon has also used established anti-human trafficking hashtags to make their messages go viral. Russian government-sponsored organizations have started to play a small but increasing role in amplifying QAnon material.

QAnon believers often feel disenfranchised and believe they are insiders in an information war. They believe they can discover the truth of what’s happening in the world by conducting their own research outside of the mainstream news media. They hope to usher revolutionary change by sharing QAnon ideas. QAnon thrives on cryptic messages, codes, and hashtags. It harnesses people’s fears and creates a sense of community. Some women have felt connected to QAnon’s anti-child trafficking messaging because of a maternal duty to protect the innocent.

What have been the effects of QAnon’s messaging?

While it started in the United States, QAnon has been growing in popularity around the world. QAnon followers have been arrested in numerous violent incidents, including a kidnapping, two murders, and vandalism. Some QAnon social media posts have spread racist and anti-Semitic rhetoric. QAnon has hindered the efforts of legitimate human rights and public health organizations by perpetuating myths about human trafficking, COVID-19, and vaccinations. QAnon messaging often also has a clear political slant, favoring a certain party and candidates over others, which could affect election outcomes. Ultimately, like other conspiracy theories, QAnon erodes a sense of shared truth and values, causing cynicism, division, and disengagement.

What is being done about it?

The U.S. government has become increasingly concerned about QAnon, and in October 2020 the House of Representatives voted 371-18 to condemn QAnon and related conspiracy theories. The FBI has labeled QAnon as a domestic terror threat because of its potential to incite violence. Social media sites have started censoring and blocking QAnon-related content and hashtags.

How should we respond?

The first step in responding to QAnon followers is understanding the movement itself. It’s likely many of those spreading QAnon content are not aware the messages are connected to a conspiracy theory. When addressing someone spreading QAnon conspiracies, try to start from a place of shared agreement, i.e., “I would agree it’s important to safeguard our children,” or, “I, too, think it’s important that we take the time to research important issues.”

Allow for discussion separate from public social media pages. Try to understand the person’s point of view and fears. Know that it may not be helpful to spend a long time debating specific topics. If QAnon conspiracies are affecting relationships or distracting the person from other important aspects of life, point that out instead.

“Our answer must be a balance of empathy for those who have been drawn in by QAnon’s seductive message, coupled with a firm rejection of its lies,” Annie Kelly, a PhD student and digital researcher, wrote in the New York Times.