Despite widespread worries about misinformation on social media, a recent study shows that engaging with credible news sources on Instagram and WhatsApp for two weeks can greatly enhance users’ understanding of current events, ability to identify true versus false information, and trust in news organizations. Published in Nature Human Behaviour, this research, conducted by the University of Zurich and the University of California, disputes the belief that consuming news on social media is always harmful.
Background: Social Media’s Double-Edged Sword
Social media is vital for over 60% of the world, serving as a key communication and information tool. However, these platforms face criticism for spreading false information. Algorithms often highlight sensational content, fueling outrage and rapidly spreading unverified claims, which leads to polarization, radicalization, and confusion. Traditional efforts to combat this focus on reducing false content through fact-checking, content removal, and real-time moderation. Yet, these methods can be inconsistently applied and might erode trust in credible sources. Seeking a better approach, the study suggests shifting focus from suppressing harmful content to promoting verified, high-quality news.
Study Design and Methodology
Researchers conducted an online experiment with over 3,000 social media users in France and Germany. Participants were divided into two groups. The Treatment Group followed two politically balanced news outlets on Instagram and WhatsApp for two weeks, with guidance on choosing reputable sources and enabling notifications. The Control Group followed two non-news accounts related to cooking, cinema, or art on the same platforms for the same duration.
Participants could use all social media freely. Both groups accessed all content, from viral videos to personal updates. The study evaluated four main outcomes through surveys before and after the intervention: Knowledge of Current Affairs was tested with quizzes on recent political and global events. Belief Accuracy involved rating the truthfulness of true and false news headlines. Awareness of True News was self-reported recognition of actual news previously seen. Trust in News Media was measured by ratings of trust in journalists and news organizations, including those followed. To ensure compliance, participants self-reported and uploaded screenshots to confirm they followed designated accounts and enabled notifications where required.
Key Findings
Analysis revealed that, compared to the control group, the treatment group experienced:
- A Small but Statistically Significant Increase in Current Affairs Knowledge: On average, treatment participants answered 12% more quiz questions correctly after two weeks.
- Improved Belief Accuracy: A 9% reduction in the endorsement of false headlines and a 7% increase in correct identification of true headlines.
- Greater Awareness of True News: Treatment participants reported recognizing 15% more genuine news stories.
- Enhanced Trust in News Media: A 10% uptick in trust ratings for followed news outlets and a 6% rise in generalized trust in journalism.
The intervention did not change participants’ self-view of being informed, interest in politics, political efficacy, or attitudes toward parties or events. Factual knowledge and trust improved, but core political beliefs stayed the same.
The Role of Notifications and Exposure
Participants who enabled news notifications showed greater improvement in all areas. This indicates that alerts are crucial for staying informed amidst the distractions of social media. Notifications served as reminders, encouraging engagement with reliable news instead of entertainment or personal updates.
Understanding the Effects Through Cognitive Processing
Short, visually appealing news snippets on platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp might improve information retention by minimizing cognitive overload. Interactive features, including comments, reactions, and easy sharing, can boost engagement, encouraging users to critically analyze content and discuss it with others.
Following two reputable news sources can protect users from low-quality information. Instead of subscribing to many outlets, focusing on a few helps build a reliable news foundation without straining attention.
Unanticipated Insights: User Awareness and Continued Engagement
In post-study interviews, about half of the participants were surprised by how easily they could follow established news organizations on social media. Many plan to keep following these accounts after the experiment. This indicates that a major obstacle to consuming news on social media is simply not knowing it’s possible. Users might think news content is hard to access or not interesting on platforms they usually see as entertainment-focused.
Implications for Social Media Platforms and News Organizations
The findings question the policies of platforms like Facebook and Instagram that reduce the visibility of news, assuming users aren’t interested. The study reveals a hidden demand for trustworthy news, suggesting it could enhance public knowledge and trust. Platforms might reconsider their approach.:
- Promote Verified News Sources: By suggesting reputable outlets to users, especially those with diverse political leanings.
- Make Notifications Opt-In by Default: Encouraging users to receive timely news updates.
- Integrate News Discovery Features: Such as dedicated news tabs or highlights sections showcasing balanced journalism.
News organizations should enhance their social media strategies by adapting story formats to fit platform standards, urging followers to turn on notifications, and using interactive tools to captivate audiences.
Limitations and Areas for Future Research
The authors warn that the study’s results might not apply to all social media platforms. TikTok’s short videos, Twitter’s text-focused feed, and Snapchat’s temporary messages could have varied impacts. Different cultural and regulatory environments in other countries might also affect the results. Future research should investigate these differences:
- Long-Term Effects: Whether improvements in knowledge and trust persist months after the intervention.
- Broader Political Outcomes: Potential impacts on civic engagement, voter turnout, and resistance to misinformation campaigns.
- Platform-Specific Dynamics: Tailoring interventions to the unique affordances and user behaviors of different social networks.
The study’s positive findings strongly support researching how strategic use of social media can create a more informed and trusting public.
Conclusion
In just two weeks, using two accounts, this intervention shows that focusing on quality news on social media boosts knowledge, belief accuracy, and media trust. It doesn’t need full immersion or stopping other activities. Instead of blocking content, it emphasizes engaging with top-notch journalism. Researchers propose this as a scalable, user-friendly way to fight misinformation. As social media grows, these strategies are crucial for creating informed citizens in the digital world.
