Dubai: Dr. Siya, renowned for his online medical advice during the COVID-19 pandemic, has issued a stark warning about the dangers of online disinformation, emphasizing that it can lead to loss of life. During his keynote session at the 1 Billion Followers Summit organized by the UAE Government Media Office, Dr. Siya urged social media users to exercise caution before sharing content online.

According to Emirated News Agency, Dr. Siya shared his experiences as a senior specialist working in trauma wards and emergency units in South Africa during the pandemic. He highlighted how misinformation contributed to reduced vaccine uptake, which resulted in severe illness and death. Dr. Siya recounted an incident where misinformation led to tragedy, citing a case where a mother's reliance on a traditional healer's advice resulted in the death of her infant.

Dr. Siya has taken proactive steps to combat misinformation by building a large following on TikTok, where he focuses on debunking false health claims. He pointed out that misinformation has been identified by the World Economic Forum as a top global threat, comparable to wars and climate change. He also referenced an MIT study showing that misinformation spreads six times faster than factual information.

To effectively counter misinformation, Dr. Siya presented his 3C framework: Credibility, Connection, and Clarity. He advised content creators to establish credibility by demonstrating their qualifications and using storytelling to engage audiences. For social media users, he emphasized the importance of verifying the credibility of sources and ensuring clarity in the information shared.

The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, held from January 9 to 11 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future, attracted over 30,000 attendees, including more than 15,000 content creators and 500 expert speakers. The event focused on the theme 'Content for Good' and featured discussions on using social media to promote positive change.