Most of the fake news generated in online media, among online platforms the social media can be accessed easily and more prevalent in distributing the fake news created by intruders. False information may continue to influence beliefs and attitudes even after being exposed.
First of all, what is fake news?
First, false information deliberately circulated by those who have adequate regard for the truth but hope to advance particular political causes and make money out of online traffic. Most of the time, the users themselves are to blame as they end up sharing content that should not be in the public eye.
In USA nearly 80% of all internet users are on social media platform
Misinformation can be very difficult to correct and may have lasting effects even after it is dishonor. Citizens frequently misinformed about political issues and candidates but the circumstances under which inaccurate beliefs emerge not fully understood. People consume the false and negative information which impacts on society. Almost a quarter of the world’s population is now on Facebook. In the USA nearly 80% of all internet users are on this platform. Because social networks feed off interactions among people, they become more powerful as they grow.
The creation and spread of fake news and hoaxes on the internet are money-oriented, politically-oriented or linked to other hidden agendas. While the news may be fake, its impact is real and potentially far-reaching.
Especially crisis events, there are both positive and negative effects of social media coverage of events. Used by authorities for effective disaster management or by malicious entities to spread rumors and fake news. This raises questions about whether fake news has any real impact at all and whether we, as a society, should be worried about it. In fact, a majority of Americans are confident that they can spot fake news. American high schoolers, they too were confident they could spot, and ignore, fake news online.
Fake news can alter your confidence in facts. Reading something convincing but essentially untrue can make you believe that brown cows actually produce chocolate milk. It is increasingly insufficient to just have the skills to call out fake news and misinformation. An understanding of psychological motivations is necessary, too.
Social networks play an increasingly important role in electoral politics
In comparison to other media, social media’s influence in political campaigns has increased tremendously. Social networks play an increasingly important role in electoral politics. While social media activism brings an increased awareness about societal issues, questions remain as to whether this awareness is translating into real change. People spend on accessing Social Networking Sites a day, the majority spent more than 2 hours
The rise of social media means it’s unusual to find an organization that does not reach its customers and prospects through one social media platform or another. Companies see the importance of using social media to connect with customers and build revenue.
Businesses have realized they can use social media to generate insights, stimulate demand, and create targeted product offerings. This is important in traditional brick-and-motor businesses, and, obviously, in the world of e-commerce. Professional social networks such as LinkedIn are important social media platforms for anyone looking to stand out in their profession. They allow people to create and market a personal brand.
Social media has had a profound effect on recruitment and hiring. 19 percent of hiring managers make their hiring decisions based on information found on social media. According to CareerBuilder’s 2016 social media recruitment survey, 60 percent of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates.
Discomfort arises from incompatibility between the Information received and Pre-existing beliefs
This study establishes the fact that out of all the respondents targeted, nearly 55.4% of the total population from people ranging in the age group 15 to 25 use social networking sites and also states that most of the users from the same age group use these sites as a medium to seek entertainment. In terms of gender division, male users are more as compared to female users wherein male users generally derive knowledge based information from these sites. It focuses on the fact that most of the youth uses these sites due to influence of their friends and just because their friends have been using and accessing these sites.
Human beings are also creatures of comfort, even at the cognitive level. To reduce mental discomfort that arises from incompatibility between the information received and pre-existing beliefs, people engage in motivated reasoning. It happens with information evaluated in a way that suits desired conclusions and outcomes.
The extensive spread of fake news has the potential for extremely negative impacts on individuals and society. Therefore, fake news detection on social media has recently become an emerging research that is attracting tremendous attention.
Fake news can encourage cyber bullying. It could also steal anyone’s identity. It can make someone look bad without showing the rest of the story. Before you know it, the whole internet is already against this person.
