Nowadays, most people are on some form of social media, but a subset of them struggles with what’s called problematic social media use (PSMU). While it’s not officially classified as an addiction yet, it does show some characteristics akin to addiction and substance abuse issues. A recent study published in PLoS ONE reveals that those exhibiting PSMU tend to believe in and share fake news more frequently, which only fuels the spread of misinformation that plagues the online world these days.
“When someone faces substance dependency, the brain’s decision-making process becomes impaired,” explained co-author Dar Meshi from Michigan State University. “They might consume their substance and suffer negative consequences, like getting a DUI or crashing. Most learn from these experiences and change their behavior, but individuals with substance use disorders often repeat the same mistakes.”
For those dealing with PSMU, not being able to access social media for a while can feel distressing (like withdrawal). Additionally, excessive use can result in job losses, declining academic performance, or mental health struggles.
Meshi focuses on risky decision-making, impulsivity, and PSMU, while his co-author Maria Molina examines misinformation. During a casual conversation, Meshi noted that he had observed that those with problematic social media habits tended to be more impulsive and risk-taking than the average person, leading him to ponder if there might be a significant connection.
He suggested that individuals with PSMU could be more inclined to engage with—and spread—online misinformation, perhaps due to a different approach to risk assessment compared to neurotypical individuals. (To clarify, misinformation refers to false information that spreads unintentionally, while disinformation is intentionally misleading.)
The study evaluated participants’ tendency to believe in fake news by observing their actions, like clicking links or liking, sharing, or commenting on posts. To gather data, Meshi and Molina enlisted 189 college students to fill out a questionnaire regarding their social media use.
