Nudging Social Media toward Accuracy. Issue 1 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pennycook, Gordon; Rand, David G.
• Other Names: Druckman James N. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Volume 700:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: misinformation -- nudges -- interventions -- social media -- inattention; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- United States -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1177/00027162221092342
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7162

Abstract

A meaningful portion of online misinformation sharing is likely attributable to Internet users failing to consider accuracy when deciding what to share. As a result, simply redirecting attention to the concept of accuracy can increase sharing discernment. Here we discuss the importance of accuracy and describe a limited-attention utility model that is based on a theory about inattention to accuracy on social media. We review research that shows how a simple nudge or prompt that shifts attention to accuracy increases the quality of news that people share (typically by decreasing the sharing of false content), and then discuss outstanding questions relating to accuracy nudges, including the need for more work relating to persistence and habituation as well as the dearth of cross-cultural research on these topics. We also make several recommendations for policy-makers and social media companies for how to implement accuracy nudges.