At #BYSTANDER22 @rvinsroom presents on whether we can reduce the spread of online misinfo by assigning user reputations that signal credibility.
Spoiler alert: No! But this null-finding is demonstrated using a cool new interactive open-source experimental platform. 1/7
Spoiler alert: No! But this null-finding is demonstrated using a cool new interactive open-source experimental platform. 1/7
A problem is that there are limited consequences of engaging with misinformation. Is it possible to leverage social identity processes? People have a desire to make positive impressions. These impressions can be curated online. 2/7
It is possible to change social media to disincentivize interaction with false news via reputation score systems. An individual will score points by spreading credible info and loss points by doing the opposite. This can create "necessary friction" between people & info. 3/7
To study this, the *mock social media website tool* has been created. Looks like real platforms (e.g., Facebook) and, hence, gives both high ecological validity & high experimental control. The tool is open source, so you can go use it! 4/7
In the Study 1, 181 undergrads participated in an experiment with a reputation system or without (i.e., the control condition). The reputation system dynamically computed participants credibility score on the basis of their behavior. 5/7
In the experimental condition, people liked more, shared and tried to verify more news - but there was no difference between false and real news. So, it doesn't seem to work. 6/7
In Study 2, a representative sample of Canadians participated in a slightly toned down version of Study 1. Here, they were also provided with media literacy tips (i.e., how to spot "fake news"). Again, alas, there was no effect. 7/7
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