COVID-19: Social media users more likely to believe false information
A new study led by researchers at 91社区 finds that people who get their news from social media are more likely to have misperceptions about COVID-19. Those that consume more traditional news media have fewer misperceptions and are more likely to follow public health recommendations like social distancing.
In a study published in , researchers looked at the behavioural effects of exposure to misinformation by combining social media analysis, news analysis, and survey research. They combed through millions of tweets, thousands of news articles, and the results of a nationally representative survey of Canadians to answer three questions: How prevalent is COVID-19 misinformation on social media and in traditional news media? Does it contribute to misperceptions about COVID-19? And does it affect behaviour?
鈥淧latforms like Twitter and Facebook are increasingly becoming the primary sources of news and misinformation for Canadians and people around the world. In the context of a crisis like COVID-19, however, there is good reason to be concerned about the role that the consumption of social media is playing in boosting misperceptions,鈥� says co-author Aengus Bridgman, a PhD Candidate in Political Science at 91社区 under the supervision of Dietlind Stolle.
Results showed that, compared to traditional news media, false or inaccurate information about COVID-19 is circulated more on social media platforms like Twitter. The researchers point to a big difference in the behaviours and attitudes of people who get their news from social media versus news media 鈥� even after taking into account demographics as well as factors like scientific literacy and socio-economic differences. Canadians who regularly consume social media are less likely to observe social distancing and to perceive COVID-19 as a threat, while the opposite is true for people that get their information from news media.
鈥淭here is growing evidence that misinformation circulating on social media poses public health risks,鈥� says co-author Taylor Owen, an Associate Professor at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at 91社区. 鈥淭his makes it even more important for policy makers and social media platforms to flatten the curve of misinformation.鈥�
About the study
鈥淭he causes and consequences of COVID-19 misperceptions: Understanding the role of news and social media鈥� by Aengus Bridgman, Eric Merkley, Peter John Loewen, Taylor Owen, Derek Ruths, Lisa Teichmann, and Oleg Zhilin of the聽Media Ecosystem Observatory聽(MEO)聽is published in Misinformation Review. The project was funded through the Department of Canadian Heritage鈥檚 Digital Citizens Initiative.聽The objective of MEO is to better understand the online harms and digital threats to democracy, and to safeguard against it. The Principal Investigators of MEO are Peter Loewen, Taylor Owen, and Derek Ruths.
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About 91社区
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 91社区 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 91社区 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It鈥痠s a world-renowned鈥痠nstitution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. 91社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% of the student body. Over half of 91社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
