A new survey by The Alan Turing Institute finds that over 90% of UK residents have encountered misinformation on social media, highlighting the need for improved public engagement with anti-misinformation tools.
The Alan Turing Institute has released a nationally representative survey revealing that 94% of people in the UK have witnessed misinformation on social media platforms. This research examines how individuals interact with various strategies to protect themselves from misinformation and their trust levels in different institutions.
The survey found that 72% of respondents are comfortable with platforms using 'behind the scenes' interventions to counter misinformation, such as demonetisation, downranking content, early moderation, and deplatforming. However, there is low awareness and usage of personal misinformation interventions, with only 3% reporting having taken a media literacy course and 7% using self-help resources.
These findings highlight a critical need to encourage people to use available tools for analysing and verifying online content. Dr. Florence Enock, Senior Research Associate in online safety at The Alan Turing Institute, emphasised the importance of equipping the public with the right tools to protect themselves against the rapid spread of false content online. She called for more efforts to encourage the use of misinformation interventions, and for platforms to provide effective ways to report misinformation.
Dr. Jonathan Bright, Head of Online Safety at the Institute, noted the high level of concern about misinformation and a general scepticism towards information sources, including mainstream news organisations. He stressed the importance of building public confidence in reliable information sources, particularly during crucial election years for the UK and the US.
This research underscores the widespread exposure to online misinformation in the UK and the urgent need for improved public engagement with anti-misinformation tools.
As online platforms continue to play a significant role in public discourse, addressing these challenges becomes crucial for maintaining a well-informed society.