User-Reported Misinformation Exposure Across Social Media Platforms
arXiv:2607.26218
The paper surveys U.S. users about how often they think they encounter misinformation on different social media platforms and finds exposure varies by platform and is only loosely linked to usage frequency.
Abstract
In this study, we surveyed users for their perception of misinformation exposure across social media platforms. Such perceived exposure is important because individuals' beliefs about how often they encounter false information can shape their trust in institutions, platforms, and even their friends. In a survey of 1,010 United States residents, we found that perceived exposure to misinformation varies substantially across platforms and is only moderately correlated with the frequency of platform use. A much larger percentage of participants also reported being exposed to misinformation from the public feed than from known contacts. Based on these results, we propose governance strategies across three categories of platform types: discovery, interpersonal, and discourse. This work offers insight into users' perceptions of social media misinformation and a corresponding research agenda for governance.
Accepted to SBP-BRiMS 2026