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Assessment of Factors Impacting the Perception of Online Content Trustworthiness by Age, Education and Gender

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremy Straub

    (Department of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA)

  • Matthew Spradling

    (Department of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI 48502, USA)

  • Bob Fedor

    (Department of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105, USA)

Abstract

Online content trustworthiness has become a topic of significant interest due to the growth of so-called ‘fake news’ and other deceptive online content. Deceptive content has been responsible for an armed standoff, caused mistrust surrounding elections and reduced the trust in media, generally. Modern society, though, depends on the ability to share information to function. Citizens may be injured if they don’t heed medical, weather and other emergency warnings. Distrust for educational information impedes the transfer of knowledge of innovations and societal growth. To function properly, societal trust in shared in information is critical. This article seeks to understand the problem and possible solutions. It assesses the impact of the characteristics of online articles and their authors, publishers and sponsors on perceived trustworthiness to ascertain how Americans make online article trust decisions. This analysis is conducted with a focus on how the impact of these factors on trustworthiness varies based on individuals’ age, education and gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy Straub & Matthew Spradling & Bob Fedor, 2022. "Assessment of Factors Impacting the Perception of Online Content Trustworthiness by Age, Education and Gender," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-66, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:2:p:61-:d:784702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hunt Allcott & Matthew Gentzkow, 2017. "Social Media and Fake News in the 2016 Election," NBER Working Papers 23089, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Alexandre Bovet & Hernán A. Makse, 2019. "Influence of fake news in Twitter during the 2016 US presidential election," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Momsen, Katharina & Ohndorf, Markus, 2022. "Information avoidance, selective exposure, and fake (?) news: Theory and experimental evidence on green consumption," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Jonathan Albright, 2017. "Welcome to the Era of Fake News," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(2), pages 87-89.
    5. Hunt Allcott & Matthew Gentzkow, 2017. "Social Media and Fake News in the 2016 Election," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(2), pages 211-236, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kaline Pessoa & Cícero Luciano Alves Costa & Ana Cláudia Coelho & Ana Bastos & Isilda Rodrigues, 2023. "Use of Instagram as a Resource for the Adoption of Behaviors Related to Health and Well-Being of Young College Students: Associations between Use Profile and Sociodemographic Variables—A Cross-Section," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Matthew Spradling & Jeremy Straub, 2022. "Evaluation of the Factors That Impact the Perception of Online Content Trustworthiness by Income, Political Affiliation and Online Usage Time," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-55, November.
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