Misinformation on Social Media

By Sierra Benger

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Misinformation is spreading quickly across social media, increasing fear, weakening trust, and making it difficult for people to be certain of the truth, according to experts and today’s college students.

Some students, like Stonehill College Freshman Courtney Goyette, are concerned with artificial intelligence’s role in spreading misinformation.

“I think the biggest source of misinformation is AI. As a person who grew up with modern technology, I’d like to believe that I wouldn’t fall for AI misinformation, but things like photos, videos, and documents that are AI generated can be so realistic. AI can fool just about anyone, and it’s scary to think that we can never be sure of the truth,” said Goyette.

These feelings towards AI and misinformation are common as 82% of Americans are worried about misinformation and 70% of adults find it difficult to trust online information due to the influx of AI, according to polls published by research expert Daniel Slotta on Statistica.

Stonehill College Communications Professor, Micheal DelNero, is also concerned about the correlation between misinformation and AI.

“We see AI getting better and better. It’s important to fact check information. Ask yourself ‘Who wrote it? Why did they write it?’” said DelNero.

AI news sources are quickly growing, in fact, the research team at News Guard has identified 3,006 AI Content Farm news and information websites spanning 16 languages, according to a study conducted by News Guard. 

DelNero said that correcting misinformation doesn’t mean removing it from social media, but rather pushing correct information that debunks misinformation.

“One of the best anecdotes of bad information is putting out good information. I don’t think false information needs to be removed, but I think people can counter it and prove that things are false or based on a certain agenda,” DelNero said.

Misinformation often spreads due to social media’s focus on viral content rather than true information, according to DelNero.

“Platforms like Twitter have complex data sets that optimize things that will go viral,” said DelNero.

Some students, like Dean College Junior Liam Watson, are concerned with how misinformation is fueled by today’s tense political climate.

“I feel like the spread of misinformation is extra dangerous given today’s political climate. There’s so many extremists who push their agenda online, whether their ideas are completely true or not. This can spread not just misinformation, but also fear,” said Watson.

Misinformation significantly impacts politics; for example, 72% of U.S. adults encountered made-up election news, according to a study conducted by Pew Research Center.

“Even a year before the 2020 election, in November 2019, the vast majority of Americans said they were either “very” (48%) or “somewhat” (34%) concerned about the impact made-up news could have on the election,” according to Pew Research Center.

Northern Essex Community College Freshman Gabrielle Jacobs is also concerned with how misinformation connects to politics.

“I feel like misinformation is spreading so rapidly and it feels like there’s no way to control it. I see a lot of political issues online, and I have to assume that half of them aren’t true because of how much fake news circulates the internet,” said Jacobs.