I don't want to hurt anyone on social media. That's why I always ask myself these four questions before posting

How do you feel every time you open social media?

Have you ever clicked 'Like' on something without really thinking, while wondering, 'Is this actually true?' Or perhaps you've posted a comment in a fit of anger, only to regret it later—I'm sure that's happened to you more than once.

I have worked in the medical field for a long time, and in terms of how information is handled, medicine and social media are surprisingly similar. 'Information that looks correct' can easily lead people in the wrong direction. And usually, it's only after someone has been hurt that we realize the mistake.

In this article, let's think together about the 'shield of reception' to avoid being swayed by information, and the 'responsibility of transmission' to avoid hurting others.

About the watchword 'So-U-Ka-Na'

First, are you familiar with the term 'So-U-Ka-Na'?

Proposed by media consultant Kenichi Shimomura and widely known as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' social media usage guideline, this four-character phrase is a watchword to help you pause before immediately believing or sharing surprising information.

'So' means don't jump to conclusions, 'U' means don't swallow it whole, 'Ka' means don't be biased, and 'Na' means don't look at only a part.It's simple, easy to remember, and something you can recall even while scrolling through your timeline. I believe that catchiness is the greatest strength of this slogan.

However, I felt that this alone was a bit lacking. 'So-U-Ka-Na' is specialized for 'receiving' information, and it completely leaves out what happens when you transmit something yourself.

The shield of reception—'The 4 Questions'

Here, I would like to introduce the framework of'4 Questions (Gimon) and 4 Self-Questions (Jimon)'.

Let's start by looking at the '4 Questions' on the receiving side.

The first question is, 'We don't know for sure yet, do we?' The essence is the same as 'don't jump to conclusions' in 'So-U-Ka-Na,' but the form is slightly different. It's not a prohibition like 'don't do this,' but a question: 'We don't know for sure yet, do we?' In my experience, people are better able to think slowly from within themselves when faced with a question rather than a prohibition. As is often said in the world of coaching, 'good questions' elicit 'good insights.'

The second is, 'Is it a fact, or is it an opinion or impression?' For example, when there is a sentence like 'The suspicious person snuck out,' the fact is only that they 'went out.' 'Snuck' is the writer's interpretation and nothing more than impression management. Just realizing that this single word can significantly sway the reader's emotions changes your perspective when receiving information.

The third is, 'Could there be other ways to see this?' News and posts are nothing more than snapshots that shine a spotlight on one point in a vast reality. The ability to imagine what lies outside that light is the key to escaping the echo chamber—a closed space where only your own comfortable opinions continue to resonate. It's comfortable, but before you know it, your perspective becomes increasingly narrow. This is a point I personally want to keep in mind at all times.

The fourth is, 'Is there anything hidden?' This is the most analytical question. 'Who benefits from this information?' 'Why now, at this timing?' 'Are there any facts conveniently omitted?' The essence often lurks in places not illuminated by the spotlight. Even in the medical field, I am deeply reminded in my daily work of the dangers of believing only the data that is visible.

The responsibility of transmission—'4 Self-Questions'

Here, the biggest difference from 'So-U-Ka-Na' appears.

The '4 Questions and Self-Questions' framework includes 'self-questions' for when you transmit information yourself. These are the'4 Self-Questions'.

We live in an era where we can transmit information to tens of thousands of people with just one smartphone. It is also an era where misinformation spreads at the speed of light with a single repost. We are being asked to take responsibility not only for receiving but also for throwing information back out. That is exactly why I strongly resonate with this concept of self-questioning.

The first self-question is, 'What do I want to convey?'Instead of throwing words out in an emotional reaction, stop for a moment and clarify your purpose. Without this, no matter how passionate your post is, it will just be noise to the recipient.

The second is, 'Am I making assumptions?'Has what I think is a 'fact' really been verified? Am I viewing a specific group or individual through a stereotypical lens? This is an introspective task of questioning the accuracy of one's own thinking before speaking in a public forum. Having learned the importance of 'letting go of assumptions' in a clinical setting, this question hits home for me in particular.

The third is, 'Am I hurting anyone?'In a highly anonymous online space, it is easy to forget that there is a living, breathing human being on the other side of the screen. Words possess the power to support people and the power to hurt them at the same time. I believe this self-question acts as an ethical brake that makes us squarely aware of that power.

The fourth is, 'Will this get across?'Even if a message is intended to be accurate and kind, it can be misunderstood depending on the recipient's knowledge or cultural background. Conveying something and having it be understood are two completely different things. This question embodies the awareness that communication is always a 'process involving the other person'.

Information should be 'catch,' not 'dodgeball'

These eight questions point to one simple philosophy.

It means that the exchange of information should not be 'dodgeball.' Words released from the impulse to refute or defeat someone may hurt the other person, but they rarely deepen mutual understanding.

What is needed instead is a sense of'playing catch'.Properly receiving the other person's ball (questioning) and throwing it back with consideration (self-questioning). That accumulation becomes the foundation of a healthy information society that supports democracy while enduring the flood of misinformation and propaganda.

As a certified public psychologist, I have seen up close how much words can move or hurt people's hearts. The skill of 'reception' and the attitude of 'ethics in transmission' are not enough on their own. Only when both are present do words become true tools for connecting people. That is what I believe.

How to use 'So-U-Ka-Na' and the 'Eight Questions'

Finally, I would like to share my thoughts on how to use these two frameworks.

When you are scrolling through your timeline and shocking news pops up, the catchphrase 'So-U-Ka-Na' acts as a brake on reflexive judgment. It is easy to remember and can be recalled instantly. This is the strength unique to a catchphrase.

On the other hand, when you want to analyze information carefully, or when you are about to post something yourself—that is where the framework of the eight questions proves its worth.

I think of the catchphrase as the 'entrance' and the questions as the 'journey.' Just knowing the entrance won't let you see the scenery of the journey. But to go on a journey, you have to start by knowing the entrance. It is because of 'So-U-Ka-Na' that the eight questions can be utilized more deeply. These two are not in conflict; try using them as complementary tools depending on the situation.

Summary

I would like to summarize what I wanted to convey through this article in three points.

First, 'So-U-Ka-Na' is a catchphrase specialized for 'receiving' information and is an excellent tool as a daily brake.

Second, the 'four questions for receiving and four questions for self-reflection' are practical thinking tools that cover both receiving and sending, and their greatest feature is that they incorporate 'responsibility as a sender'.

Third, these two are not in conflict, and by utilizing them as tools that complement each other, a richer information literacy can be cultivated.

How you engage with information is like a lifestyle habit. It doesn't have to change dramatically all at once. Starting today, try to adopt just one habit: asking yourself, 'Is this a fact? Or is it an opinion?' That small step will become a shield that protects you and prevents you from hurting someone else.

You are not someone who gets swallowed by the waves of information. You are a person who can think for yourself and choose your words. I truly hope you believe in that power.

Thank you so much for reading until the end. I would be happy if today's article serves as a catalyst for you to think about your next steps starting tomorrow.

#MediaLiteracy #SocialMediaLiteracy #InformationLiteracy #FakeNewsCountermeasures #DigitalCitizen