Facebook really wants you to read the article before sharing it

This is a common internet habit: read article titles and then share work without reading it. There are several reasons for one can do this, not at least among them make assumptions about what articles presented by the title. Facebook takes steps to overcome this habit, which can sometimes be problematic, by launching a new prompt.

The problem with sharing articles based on no more than the title is the risk of disseminating information wrong, to conclusions that are not supported by the article, and less key details needed to discuss the issue. Actually reading this article provides a context that can give people who share them a more informed perspective on the topic.

Facebook has announced that to encourage users to read articles before sharing them, now it will show them as soon as possible if they try to share the news articles that they have not opened. This prompt includes the option to open the article first or to continue sharing.

Facebook notes in the prompt, “sharing articles without reading it may mean important facts missing.” This prompt is described as a current test; It is not clear how extensive is available. Like any tests, it might be changing in the future or, maybe, removed.

This is not the first time we see this kind of feature appearing on the social media platform. Last summer, Twitter introduced a similar prompt that encouraged its readers to read the article before sharing it. The first feature arrived on Android before sliding on October 2020 on iOS.