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Information and communications technology for conflict prevention

Nature Human Behaviour volume 3, pages 310–311 (2019)Cite this article

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Communications technology, such as messaging services and social media, can be used to prevent the dissemination of independent information, and misinformation can be used to spread hatred and incite violence. However, argues John Green Otunga, it is possible to harness the power of information and communications technology to help prevent conflict.

Group messaging apps can be used to circulate information quickly within communities, which can have both positive and negative implications. In May 2017, false rumours about child abductors were spread on WhatsApp, sparking an outbreak of mob violence that led to the death of seven people in Jharkhand in central India. The police confirmed that they had not received any reports of child abduction prior to the killings and so misinformation spread by group messaging led to the murder of innocent people.

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  1. Program Co-ordinator, The UnaHakika Project and The Sentinel Project in Kenya, Tana River County, Kenya

    John Green Otunga

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  1. John Green Otunga
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Correspondence to John Green Otunga.

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Otunga, J.G. Information and communications technology for conflict prevention. Nat Hum Behav 3, 310–311 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0587-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0587-5

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