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In platforms we trust: misinformation on social networks in the presence of social mistrust

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  • Charlson, G.

Abstract

We examine the effect of social trust on a network in which agents communicate with each other and information sources, changing their opinion with some probability. Agents whose peers are more likely to spread misinformation are consequently less trusting than agents whose neighbours are more informed, and therefore change their views with less probability. When echo chambers are strong, weakening them results in there being more interaction between high and low social trust agents, increasing the spread of misinformation. When echo chambers are weak, however, weakening them further reduces the differences in social trust, decreasing the asymmetries in communication and hence the probability agents are misinformed. As a result of the non-linear relationship between the strength of echo chambers and the spread of misinformation, optimal interventions in network structure depend on why agents form links in the first place.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlson, G., 2022. "In platforms we trust: misinformation on social networks in the presence of social mistrust," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2204, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
  • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:2204
    Note: gc556
    as

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    File URL: https://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/research-files/repec/cam/pdf/cwpe2204.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    communication; misinformation; network design; Networks; platforms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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