Misinformation on Facebook: Who Gets Exposed and who Engages?
The prevalence of misinformation on social media platforms constitutes a notable threat for all users, potentially compromising the decision-making processes and actions of individuals. Nevertheless, the extent of exposure and resultant impact of this misinformation can vary significantly among different user groups, influenced by variables such as socio-economic status, educational background, and psychological profiles. Unfortunately, previous studies in this area have lacked access to actual misinformation exposure and user interaction data, caused by online platforms’ closed nature. In this study, we analyse a unique real world dataset that provides a comprehensive understanding of users’ exposure and interaction with misinformation on Facebook. We used a tool that we have designed to gather a comprehensive record of the news articles that individuals encounter, along with their corresponding interactions. From this data, we use independent auditors who survey the news media ecosystem to accurately pinpoint any news-related posts that may contain misinformation. Alongside news posts collection, we conduct surveys to gather demographic and psychological data from our recruited users, with the ultimate goal of analysing the correlation between their profile and exposure and interaction with misinformation.
- Authors: Nardjes Amieur, Salim Chouaki and Oana Goga
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