Social Media and Misinformation

Flashcards about the role of social media in the spread of misinformation, based on lecture notes.

Social Media and Misinformation

Social media platforms significantly contribute to the rapid spread of misinformation in today's digital society due to algorithms prioritizing engagement over accuracy.

MIT Media Lab Study (2018)

A 2018 MIT Media Lab study found misinformation on social media is more likely to be shared and seen by a larger audience than factual content by 70%.

Community Notes Manipulation

X's Community Notes, intended to counter disinformation, can be manipulated by organized groups, like NAFO and Russian-affiliated users.

Facebook Engagement Study (2020-2021)

A study by New York University and Université Grenoble Alpes found that Facebook pages known for broadcasting misinformation received six times more engagement than reputable news sources during the 2020 U.S. election period.

Meta's Fact-Checking Program Termination

Meta's decision to terminate its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. raises concerns about the potential increase in misinformation due to reliance on user moderation.

Consequences of Social Media Misinformation

Misinformation on social media can decrease trust in government and science, influence voting, and spread dangerous health-related lies, such as those related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Social Media as a Driver of Misinformation

Social media's structure, supported by engagement-driven algorithms and declining reliance on expert moderation, makes it a primary driver of misinformation, challenging rational public discourse and threatening democratic robustness and public health.