Column

How to Stop Conspiracy Moms

If we want women to stop pushing dangerous ideas online, we need to understand why they believe this bullshit

A “Save the Children” rally meant to decry human trafficking and pedophilia, linked to social media accounts promoting the QAnon conspiracy. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

When you think of conspiracy theorists, it’s likely you’re picturing an older white man holed up in a basement surrounded by newspaper clippings and a scribbled-on blackboard. The more accurate and modern picture, though, would be someone sleeker and more surprising: A younger, white, stay-at-home mom who dabbles in Instagram influencing.

Whether it’s Covid, QAnon, or vaccinations, there’s a new generation of conspiracy moms bringing a facade of palatability to some of the most dangerous ideas in America. These women are giving a polished sheen to ridiculous and menacing theories, and they count among the country’s biggest hurdles to fighting disinformation.

After all, it’s easy to dismiss a bedraggled man shouting on a street corner; less so when it’s a photogenic white woman with thousands of social media followers. These women — historically venerated and culturally powerful — are perfect believable messengers for the most unhinged ideas.

But if we’re going to stop the rise of conspiracy moms, we need to understand why women are susceptible to specific kinds of conspiracy theories. I believe the heart…