health
‘Bad-Vaxx’ Video Game Tries To ‘Inoculate’ Kids Against Vaccine ‘Misinformation’
A video game billed as a ‘vaccine’ against disinformation’ is drawing criticism from those who say the game is ‘unconvincing’ and ‘unethical’ because it trains children to accept a narrative instead of developing critical thinking skills. ‘Packaging potentially harmful information in a ‘game’ format can easily be used as a form of subliminal manipulation and censorship,’ said Alex Pattakos, contributing writer to Psychology Today.
TL;DR
- 'Bad Vaxx' is a video game designed to help children build resilience against vaccine misinformation.
- Critics accuse the game of reinforcing establishment vaccine narratives instead of teaching critical thinking skills.
- The game uses 'inoculation theory' and 'pre-bunking' strategies to preemptively counter anti-vaccine arguments.
- Developers of 'Bad Vaxx' have ties to the U.K. Government Cabinet Office, EU, CDC, Gates Foundation, Big Tech firms, and military agencies.
- Concerns have been raised about the game's potential for subliminal manipulation and its impact on child development.
- The game presents characters representing common misinformation tactics like anecdotal evidence, misuse of medical legitimacy, natural remedies fallacy, and conspiracy theories.