People who struggle with problematic social media use are more likely to believe and interact with disinformation, according to an innovative study from Michigan State University.
This kind of connection about connection can help explain how misinformation spreads so effectively on digital platforms and provide valuable insights into addressing the growing popularity of fake news. The study shows that people who rely most on social media are also most vulnerable to their misleading content.
When social media habits affect information processing
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, is the first to study how problematic social media use specifically relate to fake news sensitivity through behavioral measures. Researchers Dar Meshi and Maria D. Molina conducted online experiments on 189 participants aged 18 to 26 and showed them real and fake news reports as social media posts.
“Social media is everywhere in our daily lives, and some people show problematic, overuse of these platforms. We found that this overuse is associated with a greater tendency to believe and correlate with misinformation.”
The experiment shows that people with greater social media usage with larger problems are more likely to see fake news as credible than those with healthier online habits. This relationship is not observed in real news stories, suggesting a specific vulnerability to false information, rather than a general temptation.
Don’t believe: Participating in behavior is important
Perhaps more worrying, researchers found that problematic social media users were more likely to actively engage in content across all engagement metrics:
- More likely to believe that fake news is true
- Regardless of accuracy, they are more inclined to be published with news
- Especially possible click on fake news releases
- Shows a strong trend to share fake news content
These findings are particularly important considering how the algorithms of social media platforms can scale up access to high engagement content. When the user in question interacts with the error message, they may inadvertently help them to reach a larger audience.
“Miscellaneous news has become a highly controversial and researched subject because it can be shared and spread on social media. 60% of people in the U.S. read content on social media, and research shows that fake news on social media is spread to social media compared to real news,” the researchers explained in their study.
The reality of problematic social media use
Although not officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a clinical disorder, the problematic share of social media use similarities with drug use and other behavioral addictions. Affected people experience troubles when they are unable to access social media and often return to the platform even after trying to resign.
Previous research linked this behavior to negative outcomes, including unemployment, poor academic performance and decreased mental health. Recent prevalence estimates suggest that around 5% of young people and 7% of teenagers worldwide may experience problematic social media use.
What makes these users more likely to misunderstand information? The link may involve a number of factors, including larger impulsiveness and risky behaviors previously associated with problematic social media use. These same cognitive patterns may lead to a careful assessment of news credibility.
Impact on public health and information integrity
Can the investigation results help fight the spread of false information online? The researchers believe.
“People with problematic signs of social media use may also be more susceptible to misinformation related to health, so clinicians specializing in different fields may benefit from awareness of the degree of social media use of patients,” Molina said.
These insights may be interventions for mental health professionals who work with people who social media depend on, especially when patients may experience their own condition errors online.
The study also provides potential applications for broader efforts to limit the spread of fake news. “By identifying people who are more likely to believe in fake news, we can help reduce their spread,” Messi said. “Researchers can work with social media companies to find ways to help these users and limit their exposure to fake news.”
As social media platforms continue to rule how we consume information, it becomes increasingly important to understand which users are most likely to be misunderstood. This study solves an important puzzle for solving our current information crisis, suggesting that efforts to promote healthier social media habits may also help combat the spread of fake news.
The direction of causality is unknown: Will problematic social media use make people more vulnerable to fake news, or may the potential repeated exposure to sensational fake content lead to unhealthy engagement of the platform? Future research may further explore this relationship and potentially reveal new interventions to both issues.
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