The vast majority of individuals today use social media, but about 40% of people lack some form of problematic social media use (PSMU), which is not yet considered a clinical addiction but shares symptoms with substance abuse and addiction disorders. This paper published in PLoS ONE highlights a significant connection between individuals with PSMU and the belief in and propagation of false or misinformation online. The study suggests that someone experiencing PSMU may be more prone to believe and share fake news, contributing to a resurgence of misinformation in the 21st century internet.
The study explored the correlation between PSMu and the belief in fake news. Participants were recruited through college students who engaged in a conversation discussing online habits, with Meshi, a researcher at Michigan State University and the co-author of the study, stating that individuals with PSMU are more impulsive and take more risks than the average person. He noted that their risk evaluations may be different from neurotypical individuals, who typically avoid bad outcomes.
Meshi and co-author Maria Molina, a professor at MSU specializing in misinformation, found that people with PSMU are more likely to engage with and believe in online misinformation. Their study measured several actions, such as clicking, sharing, and commenting, as evidence of their belief in and spread of these false reports. They trained 189 college students to complete a questionnaire about their social media habits before accessing the fake news believing through the believing platform.
The study contributes to a growing understanding of the connection between PSMu and the spread of fake news. By recognizing this link, interventions can be developed to prevent misleading information from spreading and to reduce the intentional spread of misinformation. This can help mitigate the real-world impact of spreading Governments and political correctness.