Correcting What’s True: Testing Competing Claims about Health Misinformation on Social Media

Abstract

This study expands on existing research about correcting misinformation on social media. Using an experimental design, we explore the effects of three truth signals related to stories shared on social media: whether the person posting the story says it is true, whether the replies to the story say it is true, or whether the story itself is actually true. Our results suggest that individuals should not share misinformation in order to debunk it, as audiences assume sharing is an endorsement. Additionally, while two responses debunking the post do reduce belief in the post’s veracity and argument, this process occurs equally when the story is false (thereby reducing misperceptions) as when it is true (thus creating misperceptions). Our results have implications for individuals interested in correcting health misinformation on social media and for the organizations who support their efforts.