Want to fight misinformation? Teach people how algorithms work

A peer-reviewed study in the Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review shows that individuals become more vigilant about spotting misinformation when they understand how algorithms filter and boost content. Surveying more than 5,000 participants across the U.S., UK, South Korea and Mexico, the study shows that people with greater algorithmic knowledge were more likely to take steps against misinformation: leaving comments, sharing counter-information, or reporting problematic posts. The findings also highlight a growing knowledge gap across demographic lines, with younger and more educated individuals typically understanding algorithms better than older or less educated groups. Bridging this gap through education, we hope, will build resistance against the dangers of misinformation.