Latinos are being targeted with election disinformation. Here's how Angelenos are fighting back

This article was originally published by LAist on Oct. 7, 2024.

With just a month to the election, new research shows Latinos are being bombarded with political misinformation from both sides of the aisle.

And Latinos are among the most affected groups when it comes to California’s digital divide. That’s the gap between people with easy access to technology — including the proper skills needed to navigate the digital world — and those without.

In Los Angeles, several community-based groups are working to close that divide by offering free digital skills training for adults.

Sonia Vargas encouraged her mom, Reina, to attend digital skills classes at the Bell Tech Center in southeast Los Angeles County.

Last year, she learned how to use a mouse and type on a keyboard. Now, Reina is learning how to browse the internet and identify spam — just in time for the upcoming presidential election.

“I feel a little more secure now,” Reina said in Spanish, adding that she plans to vote in November.

Sonia said it feels great to see her mom taking these classes because she can now defend herself online and be more independent when it comes to doing everyday personal tasks. But the 24-year-old also hopes it will protect her mom from online fraudsters and help her spot disinformation that’s all over social media.

“It's very important to be connected because without it, you're not really aware of what's going on, especially in these times of elections and new things popping up,” she said. “You really gotta stay in tune with what's happening now.” 

Becoming an informed voter

The nonprofit Everyone On also regularly partners with local community based groups and schools to offer its popular “Digital Connections” program to their members or students. Cohorts of about 15 participants typically get a free laptop after completing the five-week course.

This year the election is front of mind for them.

“Part of what we teach is how to identify websites that are safe and secure,” said senior program manager Oscar Magaña. “There's ways for them to figure out if a story is true or not through independent fact checkers.”

Magaña said the group remains neutral on political issues and instead teaches people how to find reliable, accurate information in a safe way. Participants also learn about computer warranties and how to set up a device so they can become more independent when it comes to technology.

“One thing that a lot of people don't know is like, why does a website have HTTPS… literally that S means secure,” he said. “It's really more about showing them how to identify those safe websites and how to look for cues that a website might not be authentic.”

Magaña often works with groups that aren’t primarily focused on digital equity and inclusion efforts, but that “realize and understand the importance of their participants having these 21st century skills” and have already built trust in the community. 

Doing your own research

A former mayor and city council member in Maywood, Magaña said he encourages people to learn how to do their own online research around the different candidates and propositions on the ballot — especially at the local level.

“The worst thing that we can have is an uninformed voter, because sometimes, people will go in and vote and just pick whatever sounds best to them,” he said. “If [you’re] not really sure, do the research, ask family, ask friends.”

The Bell Tech Center’s free digital skills training for adults also helps people become more informed voters.

“I get concerned about folks voting and not knowing how to vote based on factual information instead of just gossip,” said Emma Hernandez of the nonprofit Southeast Community Development Corporation, which operates the technology center. “So we're going to keep hitting on that and making sure folks understand how to get information and really make informed decisions,” she said.

Bell resident Sergio Salazar has been coming to the Bell Tech Center for years to use the computers and printers. The 67-year-old said he signed up for computer classes there because one day, he might not be able to get to places like the market on his own. When that time comes, he may need the skills to be able to order groceries online.

“Technology is never finished,” he said. 

Gaining valuable skills

The classes cover some of the very basics, like how to log into your patient portal, join a Zoom call or start an email account.

“We teach them how to use a microphone so that they don't have to type everything out — things that are quicker,” Hernandez said. “Our goal is really, can they just become more proficient so that it's easier for them to use technology for just everyday things.”

Hernandez said she recently started incorporating artificial intelligence in her lesson plans since it’s the wave of the future. She’s been teaching older adults how to use ChatGPT to write emails and even translate them from Spanish to English.

But it can be frustrating or even embarrassing to ask for help — especially if you feel vulnerable around technology.

During the training, Hernandez also helps residents go through all the security features for their accounts and phones to try to turn on as many protections as possible.

“We often talk about scammers or phishing or the different things that can happen online,” she said. “That's usually one of the barriers for having them use technology; they don't want to use it because they're scared.”

That’s why it's important for people to be assured that they can ask questions when they’re not sure of an answer, and that “they have people that can back them up,” Hernandez said.