Social media comments can act as 'quick warning signals' against misinformation, study shows
A new study from the University of Exeter reveals that comments from everyday users can act as signals to others, pointing to what is true and what is not. When accurate, these comments help users spot misinformation. But when misleading, they can undermine trust in correct information.
Science X / Phys.org
Comments from ordinary users on social media platforms can be a force for good, helping others identify false information and navigate what is accurate, new research shows.
However, these same comments can also mislead when they are inaccurate, which makes it challenging for people to judge what can be trusted.
A new book shows digital media literacy is not only about telling true from false but also about evaluating the reliability of user comments.
In the book, The Power of the Crowd, Professor Florian Stöckel, from the University of Exeter, and his co-authors uncover this double-edged pattern. The book also shows how difficult it is for people to separate accurate from inaccurate information.
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