Does social media use increase belief in coronavirus misinformation?
A study has found an amplification effect from social media users who were particularly worried about the coronavirus.
Share Via Email
| A+A A-
By ANI
WASHINGTON: The more people rely on social media as their primary news source the more likely they are to believe misinformation about the pandemic, according to recent survey analysis.
The analysis was detailed by Washington State University researcher Yan Su.
The study, published in the journal Telematics and Informatics, also found that levels of worry about
COVID-19 increased the strength of people's belief in that misinformation. Two factors weakened beliefs in false information: having faith in scientists and a preference for "discussion heterogeneity," meaning people like talking with others who held different views.