Tips to use Twitter effectively amid COVID-19

Since the emergence and subsequent outbreak of COVID-19, there have been millions of Tweets and Retweets about the virus around the globe. People are looking to Twitter to find the latest and credible information on the situation and how they can protect themselves and their families from the pandemic.

Twitter is dedicated to ensure people have uninterrupted and real time access to locally and globally relevant updates in context to the ongoing circumstances. Here are some tips to help you find credible information and communicate effectively on Twitter as we all stand together in distance under the lockdown. #ThinkBeforeYouShare and #FlattenTheCurve

• Follow trusted sources and make use of the dedicated COVID-19 search prompt to access content from credible sources. Turn on notifications for the relevant and official accounts, such as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (@MoHFW),  @WHO @PMO.
• Refer to Twitter’s dedicated bilingual events page for latest facts around COVID-19 from verified sources. People in India can see this page on the top of their home timeline. The timeline also let’s people track developments around the latest social distancing and healthcare information.
• Make your Tweets relevant by using the most relevant hashtags in your Tweets to be able to join in the larger conversations. For example, to follow Tweets on India’s efforts and actions to combat the virus, #IndiaFightsCorona is a suitable hashtag.
• Tweet, Retweet and engage with content responsibly. Ensure the source of your information is credible. Do not misinform or be misinformed by sharing unverified messages or screenshots unless they have originated or been verified from an authoritative source. #ThinkBeforeYouShare
• Follow verified national and regional journalistic accounts to stay updated with the latest information and news around COVID-19 in a global, national and regional context.
• If you see a Tweet that you think is spreading rumors and myths about COVID-19, or is simply in violation of Twitter Rules, please report Tagging Twitter employees or Twitter company accounts does not escalate reports. To report a Tweet, click the dropdown menu at the top of the Tweet.

• Give yourself a break. Customize your experience by unfollowing accounts, blocking accounts from being able to follow you, and muting accounts, words, conversations, phrases, usernames, emojis, or hashtags that you do not wish to engage with. Protect your mental health by staying connected with your friends and family. 

• Follow your interest. Make a Twitter List of accounts you want to follow. Viewing a List timeline will show you a stream of Tweets from only the accounts on that List. You can also pin the list on your timeline so others following the same interests can refer to it too.
• You can disable direct messages, and filter your notifications.