Social media users fear misinformation will impact 2024 election

Social media’s X. — © AFP Daniel LEAL

As the U.S. considers a TikTok ban, do people want social media platforms regulated? A new poll indicates this is likely to be a “yes.” At least this is the case in the U.S., for Media.com polled more than 1,000 people in the U.S. and found that a little over half (51 percent) say social media companies should face more regulation, with 62 percent calling for legal accountability for misinformation. Media.com is a profile-based network which was started to help combat misinformation.

The survey was based on a poll taken of 1,005 respondents who lived across the U.S. and who were 18 or older. Each person was a social media user and had used one or more social media platforms completed the survey.

Additionally, 55 percent singled out Facebook as doing the poorest job of curbing misinformation (plus fake news), followed closely by TikTok and X/Twitter at 44 percent each. Respondents were also inclined to hold social media companies accountable for misinformation and hate speech.

When asked what changes social networks should make to address the challenge of misinformation, 57 percent of respondents said fact-checking all content. Moreover, 55 percent supported identity verification for all profiles to eliminate bots; and 42 percent favoured an automatic ban for those who spread false information.

Another area is with the forthcoming U.S. presidential election (a contest that looks likely to be a rematch between Biden and Trump). The study finds that 70 percent of social media users are moderately to extremely concerned that misinformation will impact the contest.

The worry about misinformation is often directed towards other people, since a majority of respondents (63 percent) said they feel confident in their ability to spot misinformation on social media.

Does this cognizance translate into practice? This is less certain since, when asked, some 60 percent said they had shared information they later found to be false. Moreover, when asked how misinformation impacts our lives, 68 percent of respondents said it causes confusion, 64 percent believe it undermines trust, and 60 percent feel it influences public opinion.

“Misinformation and fake profiles are eating away at trust and confidence which is critical to a functional society” said James Mawhinney, the CEO and Founder of the Media.com network says in a statement provided to Digital Journal.

Mawhinney adds: “These survey results show there is a very real concern about the impact of misinformation. It is particularly concerning considering the amount of time we spend consuming content from unverified sources.”