November 28, 2024

In ‘Self- and Social Corrections on Instant Messaging Platforms’ (International Journal of Communication, 2023), Sheryl Ng and Assistant Professor Taberez Neyazi (both NUS Communications and New Media) explore how misinformation is managed on instant messaging platforms (IMPs). Their study  focuses on the behavior of young Singaporeans and their tendency to correct misinformation either about themselves or others within their social circles.

The article underscores the growing problem of misinformation on IMPs, such as Whatsapp and Telegram, a crucial issue given the limited control mechanisms available on these platforms compared to more public social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. The authors found that young Singaporeans tend to display a preference for self-correction once they recognise their mistakes in disseminating false information and suggest that this tendency is partly driven by a desire to maintain their credibility within their networks. However, the study reveals a general reluctance among young Singaporeans to correct others because they believe that corrections can potentially damage relationships or lead to confrontations.

Thereafter, the authors discuss the broader implications of their findings for media literacy and the design of IMPs. They suggest that while technological solutions might help mitigate misinformation, educating users about the importance of corrections and how to tactfully handle them could be more effective in fostering a responsible information-sharing environment.

Overall, this study provides insights into the social dynamics of misinformation on IMPs and emphasises the role of individual and cultural factors in shaping responses to false information. It contributes to the broader discourse on digital communication and misinformation management, offering valuable recommendations for platform designers and policymakers aiming to combat misinformation without infringing on user privacy and autonomy.

Read the article here.