Information literacy

Psychology

Programming language

Information seeking

Reliability (semiconductor)

Social psychology

The Internet

Artificial intelligence

Power (physics)

Set (abstract data type)

Physics

Pedagogy

Information sharing

Social media

Quantum mechanics

Perspective (graphical)

Computer science

World Wide Web

Media literacy

Theory of reasoned action

Information retrieval

Misinformation

Internet privacy

Computer security

Behaviour and Information Technology

The menace of misinformation online has gained considerable media attention and plausible solutions for combatting misinformation have often been less than satisfactory. In an environment of ubiquitous online social sharing, we contend that it is the individuals that can play a major role in halting the spread of misinformation. We conducted a survey (n = 396) to illuminate the factors that predict (i) the perceived ability to recognise false information on social media, and (ii) the behaviour of sharing of information without verification. A set of regression analyses reveal that the perceived self-efficacy to detect misinformation on social media is predicted by income and level of education, Internet skills of information seeking and verification, and attitude towards information verification. We also found that sharing of information on social media without verification is predicted by Internet experience, Internet skills of information seeking, sharing, and verification, attitude towards information verification, and belief in the reliability of information. Recommendations regarding information literacy, the role of individuals as media gatekeepers who verify social media information, and the importance of independent corroboration are discussed.

Recognise misinformation and verify before sharing: a reasoned action and information literacy perspective