The Best Thing You Can Do To Help People In The Ukraine

One of the articles I read on how to support the people of the Ukraine compiled the top ten suggestions from across the Internet. The top suggestion was simple: Fly to Poland. Pick up a gun. Walk across the border.

Assuming you're not quite ready to do that, but still want to help, where should you start? Donating money, of course, is important. You can donate to international aid organizations or even donate to the Ukrainian army directly. Yet there may be an equally powerful way you can help: by using this moment of crisis to change your own media consumption habits for the better.

The world needs us all to be more diligent media consumers to fight misinformation and manipulation together. You can start by carefully considering the stories you choose to share and seeking out authentic content like this stock photo collection depicting what is really happening or the powerful personal videos from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. You can also share unusual social movements aimed at creating cultural consequences for Russians that could help to lower Putin's support among his people, such as Russia being suspended from FIFA or Xbox and Playstation blocking players from Russia.

The point is, we can make social media and online content part of the solution instead of a force fueling the problem. Along the way, we might all find reason to reevaluate our media habits and change them for the better.