Social media fatigue linked to believing and sharing misinformation

An NTU Singapore study has found that those who say they are tired or overwhelmed by social media are likelier to believe in misinformation and share it online.

Using COVID-19 fake news as an example of misinformation, the NTU study also found that narcissistic individuals experiencing social media fatigue are more likely to share misinformation.

The study is based on over 8,000 survey responses from participants in Singapore, the United States, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

With millions of users relying on social media as a source of news and entertainment and as a mode of communication, addressing social media fatigue and its consequences is imperative, said the researchers.