Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2023
Abstract
Using a random sample of active social media users (N = 1,156), this study examined the effectiveness of social media fact-checking against online misinformation sharing. Data indicates that these fact-checks are minimally effective in stopping the spread of misinformation on social media. Being aware of the fact-checks, being fact-checked, or even having content deleted from one's account were not deterrents to sharing misinformation. The fear of isolation was the strongest deterrent, suggesting that account freezes, suspensions, or bans were the most effective ways to curtail the spread of misinformation. The study contributes to research on fact-checking, to research on online surveillance, and to research on online expression and the spiral of silence theory.
Recommended Citation
Wasike, B. (2023). You've been fact-checked! Examining the effectiveness of social media fact-checking against the spread of misinformation. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 11, 100090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2023.100090
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
Telematics and Informatics Reports
DOI
10.1016/j.teler.2023.100090
Comments
Under a Creative Commons license