In a previous piece titled “Fake News: A Trap We Can All Fall Into,” I explored how individuals can easily become victims of disinformation. This article addresses a related but distinct issue: not everyone is equally susceptible to believing fake news. The general public often assumes that people with little or no formal education are more vulnerable to fake news due to weaker critical thinking skills. This assumption is supported by findings from the Pew Research Center, which highlight the role of education, particularly higher education, in the ability to discern false information.
To better understand how this applies to Afghanistan, let’s examine the scientific research in light of the country’s social context. According to World Bank data from 2021, Afghanistan’s literacy rate stood at just 37 percent. Importantly, “literacy” here is defined as the ability to read and comprehend a simple, everyday text. In other words, only 37 out of every 100 Afghans were able to read and write at a basic level in that year. Meanwhile, studies showing a correlation between education and resistance to fake news typically focus on higher education, such as a university degree or its equivalent, not just basic literacy. This means that, even under the most optimistic assumptions, 63 out of every 100 Afghans are highly vulnerable to fake news. However, illiteracy and lack of formal education are only part of the story. Other factors, including socioeconomic status, age, gender, and media consumption habits, also influence an individual’s susceptibility to fake news.
Afghanistan ranks among the poorest nations in the world. In the 2023 global ranking of per capita income, it placed 172nd out of 181 countries. That year, the World Bank reported the country’s per capita income at just over $415. A joint study conducted in 2019 by researchers from Oxford and Michigan universities across seven countries found that individuals with lower socio-economic status and older adults with limited education are more likely to fall for fake news than other groups. The implication is clear: if you are poor and socially disadvantaged, and you encounter a piece of disinformation at the same time as your wealthier friend, you’re more likely to believe it. Likewise, many of our fathers—older men who, in most cases, received limited formal education—are more likely than their younger, more educated children to be misled by fake news.
Another critical factor in identifying fake news is media consumption—namely, which platforms individuals rely on for news and information, and which ones they turn to for entertainment. Research shows that people who consume traditional media, such as radio and television, are generally better at identifying fake news than those who rely exclusively on digital sources and social media. This distinction lies in the editorial nature of traditional media. Unlike online platforms, radio and television tend to curate and broadcast content more conservatively and with greater editorial oversight. As a result, their audiences are often better informed and more likely to approach social media content with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially when it contradicts what they hear on the radio or see on TV. According to published statistics, in 2024, about 67 percent of Afghan adults watched television at least once a month, while around 38 percent listened to the radio. Although these figures might seem promising at first glance, their actual effectiveness in countering fake news is limited. That’s because the primary consumers of traditional media in Afghanistan are older adults and women, groups that are generally less active on social media platforms. Meanwhile, it is precisely those digital platforms where fake news originates and spreads most rapidly in Afghanistan.
In today’s environment, where artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to create deceptive content, one of the simplest strategies for combating misinformation is encouraging people not to rely solely on social media for news. Instead, they should also engage with traditional media outlets, such as radio and television. While conventional media can offer a relatively safer path to accurate information for all audiences, its role is especially crucial for women. Studies indicate that, compared to men, women are generally less equipped to detect fake news, making access to reliable sources all the more important for them.