The Spread Mechanism of Misinformation on Social Media

Abstract

In the digital era, social media has become a vital platform for information dissemination. However, the prevalence of misinformation has profoundly impacted societal cognition and public opinion. Misinformation is defined as intentionally distributed content that is inaccurate or misleading, taking forms such as rumors, fake news, and pseudoscientific claims. The features of social media, including user-generated content, dynamic network structures, and complex recommendation algorithms, have fueled the rapid spread of misinformation. This study explores the classification and characteristics of misinformation, as well as its propagation mechanisms on social platforms, aiming to reveal how misinformation influences public perception. The research also proposes strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of misinformation, thereby maintaining a healthy information environment.