Challenging Misinformation on Social Media: Users' Perceptions and Misperceptions and Their Impact on the Likelihood to Challenge

Abstract

Despite being an effective way to mitigate the spread of misinformation, people on social media tend to avoid correcting others when they come across misinformation. Users’ perceptions and attitudes regarding challenging misinformation remains an underexplored area. To address this research gap, drawing on data from 250 UK-based social media users, this study aimed to identify the factors that contribute to users’ reluctance to challenge misinformation.The study found that people have misperceptions about the negative consequences of challenging misinformation and the acceptability of the behaviour. The negative consequences were categorized into three categories: relationship consequences (i.e., negative effects on the relationships due to challenging), negative impact on others (i.e., harm caused to others when challenging), and futility (i.e., belief that challenging misinformation is ineffective or pointless). Participants perceived that when they challenge others, those others may view their relationships more negatively compared to when they are challenged by others. Participants also perceive challenging others are more futile than being corrected. attempting to challenge or confront others is seen as less effective or less likely to produce a positive outcome compared to being corrected themselves. Those who believed that others think challenging misinformation is more socially acceptable than themselves were more likely to challenge. Moreover, age, injunctive norms and perceived negative impact on others have an impact on likelihood to challenge.Overall, the study underscores the significance of understanding the role of perceptions and misperceptions in challenging misinformation. Developing features on social media that facilitate challenging misinformation or fostering social norms that endorse it can address these misperceptions. To develop the right approach understanding of users and their motivations is crucial. Our study paves the way for the development of effective user-centric countermeasures by shedding light about user’s attitudes, perceptions and misperceptions.

Keywords: Misinformation, Challenging Misinformation, Misperception, Pluralistic Ignorance