Donald Trump’s departure from the White House has shattered the hopes of some Qanon conspiracy theorists, who said they believed he would expose a worldwide conspiracy of devil-worshiping pedophiles. While some clung to the faith even after the reality of Trump’s electoral defeat was established, others abandoned the movement.
Experts and former QAnon members interviewed by the Associated Press offer several tips for people looking to overcome conspiracy theory or for those who are wondering how to talk to a loved one consumed by it.
LISTEN, DON’T PREACH: Believers in conspiracy theories are unlikely to be influenced by people who scoff at their opinions. Instead of lecturing, listen and ask questions about why they got into conspiracy theory or where they got their information from. Whenever possible, keep the conversation offline.
CHANGE THE SUBJECT: Bring shared experiences and interests to help the person focus on personal connections offline. If someone persists in the conspiracy theory, politely say that you prefer to talk about something else.
UNPLUG: Social media has allowed conspiracy and misinformation theories to spread farther and faster than ever. Taking occasional breaks on social media can help people catch up, whether they believe in QAnon or not, especially during a pandemic that only took longer on the screen.
EXERCISE: Not only is it good for physical health, but it can also help ex-believers cope with the anxiety that arises from leaving QAnon behind. A former believer told the AP that yoga helped her move on.
VOLUNTEER: Mental health experts and former QAnon believers say that finding local volunteering opportunities can help current and former members to redirect their energy and concern in a positive way. Has QAnon opened your eyes to the problem of child sex trafficking? Experts say that helping local nonprofits that care for children or fight poverty is a much more effective solution than posting on social media.
EXPAND YOUR SOURCES: Checking out a variety of sources and relying on legitimate news is one way to avoid falling into misinformation and conspiracy theories in the first place. If your loved ones are curious about QAnon and increasingly interested, encourage them to check out facts-based resources that can help them understand the truth.
REACH OUT: Conspiracy theories create online communities, and giving up on them can leave people feeling alone, humiliated or confused. Ex-believers who intend to pass QAnon say that talking about their feelings helps. Some turned to therapy, while others joined online forums for ex-believers on platforms like Reddit and Telegram.