Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Feb 14, 2021
Date Accepted: Dec 3, 2021
The effect of source type and protective message on the critical evaluation of news messages on Facebook: An experimental study in the Netherlands.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Disinformation has become an increasing societal concern, especially due to the speed that news is shared in the current digital era. In particular in the healthcare sector disinformation can lead to serious casualties, as the current COVID-19 crisis clearly shows.
Objective:
The main aim of this study was to experimentally examine the effects of information about the source’s and a displayed protective warning message on users’ critical evaluation of news items, as well as the perception of accuracy of the news item.
Methods:
A 3(unreliable versus reliable versus no identified source) x 2 (protective message: with versus without) between subject design has been conducted among 307 participants (mean age = 29 years, SD = 10.9 years).
Results:
The results showed a significant effect of source information on critical evaluation. In addition, including a protective message did not significantly affect critical evaluation. The results showed no interaction between type of source and protective message on critical evaluation.
Conclusions:
Based on these results it is questionable whether including protective messages to improve critical evaluation is a way to move forward and improve critical evaluation of health related news items, although effective methodologies to tackle the spread of disinformation is highly needed.
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