Have You Heard About This 5g Conspiracy?

It’s no secret that we’ve been living through scary times.

With a global pandemic taking millions of lives, it’s only natural that people look for explanations as to why this is all happening.

But the age of digital media has taken this search to a whole new level.

There have been many wild conspiracy theories that have arisen in these last few months. One of them is the 5g Conspiracy.

What is 5G?

5G is the newest standard for wireless network technology. The “G” stands for generation, meaning 5G is the fifth generation of high-speed networks. Wireless providers, like Verizon and AT&T, are beginning to switch to 5G for better benefits.

5G has faster speeds and greater bandwidth than 4G. The rollout for this breakthrough technology began globally in 2018, but countries are hoping to expand installations in the near future.

Tech experts believe 5G is the future of wireless technology.

What’s the Theory?

The conspiracy has different levels of complexity.

So, the general theory is 5G is dangerous because it emits radiation that is harmful to your health. This is not a new concern. For decades, people have worried about getting radiation poisoning from the electronics that surround them daily.

The World Health Organization assures low level radiation has “no substantive health issues”.

Another theory is more specific and claims that 5G causes a weakened immune system.

Even more specific, some say coronavirus symptoms are a direct cause of 5G radiation.

Bringing it to an entirely new level, conspiracists say that the quarantine lockdown is a government plot to install more 5G cell towers without the public’s knowledge.

Further, the fear is coronavirus vaccine developers, like Bill Gates, will use the vaccine to implant something that will control whoever is injected or shut down their body.

And, of course, the ultimate conspiracy is the Illuminati is responsible for all of this.

How Did it Start?

The 5G conspiracy theory began in the Belgian newspaper, Het Laatste Nieuws. The paper printed an article interviewing Dr. Kris Van Kerckhoven, who claimed that 5G can be dangerous and is connected to coronavirus, a theory not supported by scientific data.

The digital version of the article was only up for a few hours before it was taken down, but that’s all that was needed for the theory to take off.

The conspiracy grew on Facebook, initially starting on Dutch pages, but soon was adopted by English speakers as well. The Facebook algorithm boosted the claim because it was recognized as viral content and not disinformation.

After gaining traction on Facebook, the theory garnered some attention as celebrities and influential people with large platforms on social media supported this baseless claim, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of JFK, and singer Keri Hilson.

The 5G conspiracy found a home on YouTube, as many videos were created to “explain” its ties to the coronavirus.

Other media outlets have even adopted the theory. Infowars, the far-right website, spread the disinformation to its platform, saying 5G causes physical symptoms.

The Russian television network, RT, has claimed 5G “might kill you”, one of several attacks the broadcasting station has leveled again 5G since January of 2019.

According to the New York Times, Russia’s attack on 5G is meant to undermine western technological innovations because they cannot compete with the rapidly growing market.

It’s understandable how people look to these radical ideas to explain the chaotic events we are living through, but the 5G conspiracy is a dangerous one with real-life consequences. There have been numerous cases of burning down cell towers and harassing innocent workers for installing 5G.

In the age of social media, it is easier than ever to spread disinformation and harder to silence it.