In today’s digital landscape, a significant proportion of individuals engage with various social media platforms. However, a subset of these users experiences what is referred to as problematic social media use (PSMU). While not formally recognized as a clinical addiction, PSMU exhibits characteristics similar to those found in addiction and substance abuse disorders. A recent study published in the journal PLoS ONE highlights a concerning correlation: individuals who manifest PSMU are more inclined to believe and disseminate false information online, thus exacerbating the issue of misinformation prevalent in modern society.
“When someone grapples with a substance dependency, they face difficulties in decision-making that hinder their ability to stop,” explained Dar Meshi, a co-author of the study from Michigan State University. He elaborated that individuals with substance use disorders might experience negative consequences, such as a DUI or a car accident, yet continue engaging in harmful behaviors despite these outcomes.
In the realm of PSMU, users may experience feelings of distress if they are unable to access social media for a prolonged period, mirroring withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, excessive social media use can lead to undesirable consequences, such as job loss, declining academic performance, or deteriorating mental health.
Meshi’s expertise lies in risky decision-making, impulsivity, and PSMU, while his colleague Maria Molina focuses on the dynamics of misinformation and disinformation. Their collaboration emerged from a conversation wherein Meshi noted his findings indicating that individuals with PSMU tended to exhibit heightened impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors. This observation prompted them to explore a potential link between PSMU and the engagement with online misinformation.
They proposed that individuals with PSMU may be more susceptible to believing and sharing dubious information online due to a differing risk assessment process compared to neurotypical individuals. It is important to differentiate between misinformation, which is shared unintentionally, and disinformation, which is disseminated with the intent to deceive.
The study involved assessing participants’ likelihood of believing fake news by monitoring interactions, such as clicking on links and engaging with posts through likes, shares, or comments. A total of 189 college students participated by completing a questionnaire regarding their social media usage patterns.
