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Cited by 70Misinformation and Its ImpactsComplex Network Analysis TechniquesIslamic Finance and Communication

Why Do Social Media Users Share Misinformation?

Chen, Xinran, Sin, Sei-Ching Joanna, Theng, Yin-Leng, Lee, Chei Sian·2015·Proceedings of the 15th ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Conference on Digital Libraries
DOI 10.1145/2756406.2756941
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Abstract

Widespread misinformation on social media is a cause of concern. Currently, it is unclear what factors prompt regular social media users with no malicious intent to forward misinformation to their online networks. Using a questionnaire informed by the Uses and Gratifications theory and the literature on rumor research, this study asked university students in Singapore why they shared misinformation on social media. Gender differences were also tested. The study found that perceived information characteristics such as its ability to spark conversations and its catchiness were top factors. Self-expression and socializing motivations were also among the top reasons. Women reported a higher prevalence of misinformation sharing. The implications for the design of social media applications and information literacy training were discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1145/2756406.2756941

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  • Stewardship of collective processes will require an understanding of both individual motivations and their emergent consequences.

    “Stewardship of collective processes will require an understanding of both individual motivations and their emergent consequences”

    From Stewardship of global collective behavior (2021) · cites this paper as [144]

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Authors
Chen, X., Sin, S.-C. J., Theng, Y.-L., & Lee, C. S.
Affiliations
Nanyang Technological University (SG)
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the 15th ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Conference on Digital Libraries
Publisher
ACM
Published
2015-06-21
Pages
111-114
ISSN
1552-5996 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1145/2756406.2756941
OpenAlex
W2039282471
Semantic Scholar
62b5ddd597b56bf0d816bd7c4f37d7abc68def4d
Cited by
70
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3
FWCI
8.50
Type
conference paper
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.acm.org/publications/policies/copyright_policy#Background (vor)
Locations
ACM/IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (publishedVersion)
Funders
Nanyang Technological University (RG58/14)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Network Analysis Techniques
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Islamic Finance and Communication
Keywords
misinformation sharing, social media, uses and gratifications theory, self-expression motivation, gender differences, university students, information literacy, social media design

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