Can You Identify Fake News? This Survey Says Only One In Three Internet Users Can

Online regulator Ofcom surveyed over 13,000 adults and minors in UK who use internet. 7 in 10 adults said they were confident in identifying misinformation, but only 22% of them were able to do it.

Every minute, 500 hours of content is uploaded to YouTube and 695,000 stories are shared on Instagram | Photo: Getty

New Delhi: A new report suggests more than a third of internet users fail to read false or biased information, and a further 6 per cent, or around one in every 20 internet users, believe everything they read online.

Online regulator Ofcom came out with the report after surveying more than 13,000 people in the United Kingdom, both adults and minors, who use the internet.

The report said 30 per cent of the UK adults who go online are not sure about, “or don’t even consider”, the truthfulness of information they consume online. While 69 per cent of the respondents (seven in 10 adults) said they were confident in identifying misinformation, only 22 per cent of them were able to correctly identify what are the signs of a genuine post, without making mistakes.

A similarly striking pattern was observed among older children aged 12-17 years — 74 per cent were confident but only 11 per cent were found to be able to identify fake content.

Also, around 24 per cent adults and  27 per cent children who claimed to be confident in spotting misinformation were unable to spot a fake social media profile in practice.

Further, though the minimum age requirement is 13 years for most social media sites, the survey said, 33 per cent of parents of five to seven-year-olds and 60 per cent of parents of eight to 11-year-olds reported their children having a social media profile.

Separating fact from fiction online is vital. But our research today shows:

❌About a third of people fail to question misinformation
🕵️‍♀️ Most overestimate their skills to spot false online content
👩‍💻1 in 20 believe everything they see online

Read more 👇https://t.co/tS9QAnPGRE

— Ofcom (@Ofcom) March 30, 2022

Need For Tougher Rules 

According to the report, 500 hours of content is uploaded to YouTube and 695,000 stories are shared on Instagram every minute. 

Ofcom said having the right critical skills to tell fact from fiction has “never been more important” due to the “sheer volume” of information available online. 

The report said four in five adult internet users, or 81 per cent, want to see tech firms take responsibility for monitoring content on their platforms. Two thirds, or 65 per cent, also want protection against offensive or inappropriate content.

“In a volatile and unpredictable world, it’s essential that everyone has the tools and confidence to separate fact and fiction online – whether it’s about money, health, world events or other people,” Ofcom Chief Executive Melanie Dawes said, adding: “...many adults and children are struggling to spot what might be fake. So we’re calling on tech firms to prioritise rooting out harmful misinformation, before we take on our new role helping to tackle the problem. And we’re offering tips on what to consider when you’re browsing or scrolling.”

How To Spot Misinformation

The Ofcom report shared three broad tips to help spot misinformation.

Check the source: The regulator said it is necessary to check where the content originated from, rather than who shared it with you.

Question the source: One must check if the source from where the content originated are established or trustworthy. Assess if they could have a reason to mislead you.

Introspect: Don’t take something at face value. One must think about own motives for wanting to believe the content.