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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMajority of social media influencers don't verify information before sharing it, study finds
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/majority-of-social-media-influencers-don-t-verify-information-before-sharing-it-study-finds-1.7124079?__vfz=medium%3DsharebarNEW YORK - A majority of social media influencers dont verify information before sharing it with their audiences, a study published Tuesday by the UNs scientific and cultural arm found, underscoring concerns that some of the biggest online figures can uncritically spread misleading claims.
According to the UNESCO study, 62 per cent of surveyed creators said they dont vet the accuracy of content before sharing it with their followers. Roughly one-third of influencers said they shared information without checking its validity if it originated from a source that they trusted, while 37 per cent said they verified information with a fact-checking site before circulation.
The study, which surveyed 500 digital content creators across 45 countries and territories in August and September 2024, included creators with more than 1,000 followers. While only 12 per cent of the surveyed influencers said they produced content about current affairs/politics and the economy, UNESCO warned that the low prevalence of fact-checking highlights their vulnerability to misinformation, which can have far-reaching consequences for public discourse and trust in media.
Rather than verifying information, more than four in 10 influencers said they evaluated a sources credibility by popularity the number of likes and views it had received while one in five said trusted friends and experts were the most common factor in determining an online sources credibility. Only 17 per cent said documentation and evidence was their top factor in gauging credibility.
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bhikkhu
(10,765 posts)Which is something I never really understood. I almost never just accept things people tell me, and I'll usually fact-check things I hear in conversation that don't seem likely. My ex-wife used to get very mad at me for that, as she considered it insulting and arrogant (especially when I didn't just accept her statements).
I always tried to be like a guy in college myself, where any statement you make in a class might be questioned; best practice when taking a position is to have your facts and references ready, in case you're challenged. I always enjoyed it when I was questioned, as it meant someone was interested and cared about the facts of the matter, and then I'd get to make the argument effectively. Just saying stuff was, in a way, a probe to see if anyone really cared about a topic.
To a lot of people it seems like the facts aren't the point at all, the point is the personal connection, the loyalty, the public demonstrations of fealty or whatever you want to call it. Possibly blind acceptance of a position without applying any type of verification or critical thinking is itself the kind of behavior that cements you as a useful "in" member.
Emrys
(8,200 posts)WarGamer
(16,358 posts)