Last September, a virtual reality experiment was introduced on the Florida State University campus. Through VR headsets, students and faculty who consented to take part in the experience watched a short film showing the personal story of a Nova music festival survivor from October 7th, 2023. This music festival became one of the biggest targets of the Hamas attack on Israel, where Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists infiltrated Israel through air, land, and sea, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 Israelis hostage.

This experiment reflected a new and personalized point of view of a story that many participants admitted they were unfamiliar with. The individuals participating were random and were not told specific information regarding the content of the film beforehand, aside from a pre-given trigger warning. The goal was to present the real tragedy of that day through firsthand testimony rather than through headlines or social media narratives.

According to Northeast Global News, “the average pro-Palestinian post had about 11,500 views compared to roughly 2,400 views of pro-Israel content.” This trend is clear: certain content brings in more views, more traffic, and therefore more money. In a digital landscape driven by engagement, emotionally charged content often spreads faster than carefully verified reporting. This statistic highlights how important experiences like the virtual reality demonstration can be, especially among young audiences such as university students who consume much of their news online.

After the experiment, several participants were asked about their thoughts. The results varied. Some students and faculty expressed strong support for sharing this information, while others opposed the presence of such stories on campus. A number of students simply left without comment. Considering that participants came from a range of backgrounds, prior beliefs, and perspectives, the experiment revealed how differently individuals respond to the same content. It also encouraged conversation and reflection among those who stayed to engage.

Several students later revealed they had little to no knowledge regarding the horrific acts that happened that day or about the Nova music festival specifically. One student expressed, “I knew Israel has been involved with a lot of wars in the past, but I did not know about this particular experience between Israel and Gaza.” While bits and pieces of information regarding the Middle Eastern conflict are constantly being thrown around on social media and other outlets, many individuals do not take the time to do deeper research. This can result in incomplete or misinformed understandings of complex issues. While the expression of a range of opinions is encouraged in university settings, it is important that discussions are grounded in factual evidence.

With today’s mass media, it is common for individuals, especially Gen Z, to seek most, if not all, of their news from social media. What is often not considered about these sources is how simple it can be to spread misinformation, which can result in real consequences. One FSU student stated after participating in the experiment that they had only prior knowledge about the October 7th massacre from social media, which is also where they seek most of their news. They said, “I do not think social media is the best news outlet, but it is the most accessible, so I don’t think it is bad.” This trend of relying on social media as a main news source is becoming increasingly common. While social media can allow people from different walks of life to share their experiences and opinions, it can also amplify misleading or false information.

Whether aware of it or not, propaganda and misleading information circulate widely online, with social media serving as a major channel for its spread. A 2021 Congressional Research Service study notes that “Social media platforms have become major channels for the dissemination, exchange, and circulation of information to billions of users around the world.” In many cases, posts regarding operations happening in Gaza fail to mention important details or are completely incorrect.

For example, after the explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on October 17, 2023, social media was flooded with posts accusing Israel of purposely bombing the hospital. One widely circulated post stated that the hospital “was bombed by Israeli forces.” However, subsequent reporting indicated that the explosion was the result of a misfired rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This demonstrates how quickly claims can spread online before facts are fully verified. Misleading information can create unfounded hostility and deepen divisions.

The broader issue is not simply disagreement, but the speed at which narratives form in the digital age. Many students who participated in the VR experience admitted they had already formed strong impressions based largely on what they had seen online. By presenting a personal account without commentary or algorithm-driven framing, the VR experience encourages participants to reflect on the content they consume and to question whether it tells the full story.

As social media continues to dominate how young people consume news, it becomes increasingly important to seek deeper research and broader context. In a time when information spreads instantly and opinions form quickly; careful examination of sources and thoughtful engagement remain essential.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)