The difference between truth and deception has never been blurrier than today, and people online are the most susceptible to misinformation.
The rise of social media and the rapid spread of fake news has presented significant challenges to democracies worldwide.
In an effort to help fight this issue, psychologists at the University of Cambridge have developed a groundbreaking tool called the Misinformation Susceptibility Test (MIST).
What Is the MIST?
The MIST test, developed through experiments involving over 8,000 participants, aims to gauge an individual's susceptibility to fabricated news that floods online spaces.
The researchers collaborated with the polling organization YouGov to deploy the MIST test and determine how susceptible Americans are to fake headlines.
Participants were presented with a set of 20 headlines and asked to classify them as real or fake. On average, adult US citizens correctly identified two-thirds (65%) of the headlines.
However, the survey revealed that younger adults struggled more than their older counterparts in distinguishing between real news and misinformation.
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Younger Adults More Susceptible to Fake News
Contrary to common beliefs, the survey found that older adults outperformed younger adults in identifying false headlines on the MIST test.
Only 11% of individuals aged 18 to 29 scored high, while 36% received a low score. In contrast, 36% of those aged 65 or older achieved a high score, with just 9% falling into the low-scoring bracket.
Interestingly, the more time individuals spend online for recreational purposes, the greater their susceptibility to misinformation.
Those spending up to two hours online daily scored higher on the MIST test than those spending nine or more hours online. This correlation emphasizes the need for improved media literacy and a reevaluation of algorithmic design and platform functionalities.
A survey by Common Sense Media reveals that American kids and teens are spending more time on screens and social media. The poll shows a 17% increase in screen use among teens and tweens (ages 8-12) from 2019 to 2021, surpassing the previous four years.
On average, daily screen time for tweens increased to five hours and 33 minutes, while for teens, it rose to eight hours and 39 minutes.
Identifying Channels of Misinformation
The MIST survey also analyzed the influence of news sources on susceptibility to misinformation.
The Jerusalem Post notes that participants who received news from traditional "legacy media" outlets, such as the Associated Press, NPR, or newer outlets like Axios, achieved higher scores on the MIST test.
In contrast, social media emerged as the platform with the most susceptible news audiences. The survey revealed that 53% of individuals who received news from Snapchat obtained low scores, with only 4% achieving high scores.
Platforms like Truth Social, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram also showed higher susceptibility rates.
Leveraging AI
The development of the MIST test involved leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly ChatGPT, to generate realistic yet false headlines for the survey.
The Cambridge researchers highlight the importance of psychologists embracing AI to harness its potential for beneficial applications and guide its development in constructive directions.
The MIST test is publicly available at https://yourmist.streamlit.app/ to encourage public awareness and engagement. By completing the test, users receive scores and a "resilience" ranking.
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