Why does false information spread so quickly on social media?

Social networks as an accelerator of disinformation

One of the reasons is the algorithms of social networks.

Platforms track what we watch, what we linger on, what we like, comment on, or share. If a piece of content gets a lot of traction, the algorithm can show it to more people.

But here’s an important thing: the algorithm doesn’t decide whether the information is true or false. It tries to understand what grabs our attention.

 

And misinformation is often built on that.

“URGENT!”

“SHOCKING INFORMATION.”

“They are hiding it from you.”

“This video proves everything.”

Fear, anger, or shock make us watch, comment, and share more quickly.

In the case of Armenia, the topics of war and peace, security, elections, foreign policy, and the future of Armenia are particularly sensitive.

For example, a false post may appear on social networks saying, “A new war will soon break out in Armenia.”

One person shares it. Then another. The post appears in different groups and channels, the same story may be shared under a different title or appear on a different website.

And we see it again and again.

There is a dangerous feeling here.

“If it’s written in so many places, then it must be true.”

But multiple publications still don’t mean multiple independent sources. Sometimes the source of all those publications can be just one unverified post.

And sometimes there aren’t even real people behind that spread.

Social media can be home to networks of fake or coordinated accounts that spread the same content from different pages, creating the impression that a given opinion is very popular.

Meta regularly detects and removes such networks of fake accounts and pages. However, this is a constant struggle: new accounts can be created to replace closed accounts, and sometimes stolen or long-dormant accounts are also used.

All of this can affect not only what we see online, but also what we think, what we believe, and how we respond to important social issues.

Therefore, the most important question on a social network is not:

“How many people have shared this?”

but:

“Where did this start?”

Who is the first source?

What evidence is there?

Is the same information available in reliable sources?

Is the photo or video real?

Remember, an algorithm can speed up the spread of information, but it is up to us to decide whether to become its spreader or stop it.

Stop. Check. Then just spread it.

Ani Sukiasyan ISHR Armenia

#CivilSocietyCooperation #ishrarmenia #ishrfactcheck

 

 ISHR Armenia  is solely responsible for the content of the materials.

The project is implemented with the financial support of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.