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A new experiment: Finding the truth – how checking online affects misinformation
23.01.2024 00:30
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:21
Conventional wisdom claims that checking online for the truth about misinformation would make people believe it less.
However, a new experiment shows the opposite: searching to verify false news articles actually increases the chance of believing in various lies.
The test results provide insights into how search engines affect their users, an area that hasn't been studied much.
How it works
The study's findings clearly show a counterintuitive trend: instead of reducing belief in misinformation, searching online to evaluate news actually amplifies belief in highly popular false facts.
The specialists attribute this outcome to the quality of information given by search engines, particularly for people exposed to lower-quality content.
This phenomenon raises concerns about "data voids," suggesting that areas dominated by low-quality or false news might contribute to a deficiency of credible information in the online search process.
This, in turn, could lead to the unsettling possibility of non-credible information appearing prominently in search results.
The experiment enlisted participants for experiments exploring the impact of online searches on false or misleading views.
The test results emphasize the need for special media literacy programs and call on search engines to fix the issue.
Why it's important to know
The study reveals a notable pattern: engaging in online searches to assess news substantially heightens belief in misinformation, irrespective of the time passed since the misinformation was published.
Interestingly, this impact is more pronounced among individuals who receive lower-quality information from search engines.
These outcomes underscore the importance of media literacy initiatives and emphasize the need for search engines to address the challenges highlighted in the study, particularly regarding the quality of information delivered during online searches.
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