A Nation on Edge: The Growing Fear of Misinformation

By Ben Leiner and Rohini Venkatesan

As we approach what may be the most important election in our lifetimes, misinformation is a top concern for voters. Americans are worried that they are being intentionally misled, whether by political candidates themselves, artificial intelligence, or international actors.

New research released today from SmartNews shows a whopping 85% of Americans are concerned about misinformation, with 58% of respondents reporting that they are extremely concerned. Surprisingly, worry about misinformation is a rare area of partisan agreement, with Democrats (62%) and Republicans (60%) reporting a roughly equal rate of extreme concern.

The survey underscores how deeply we are troubled by misinformation, particularly coming from political candidates and their supporters, with nearly half of respondents (49%) identifying this kind of misinformation as a major concern. 

Social media plays a significant role in this misinformation ecosystem, with 47% of respondents citing concerns over the spread of false information on these platforms. Social media, powered by algorithms designed to maximize engagement, often prioritize sensational and divisive content – content that generates strong emotional reactions and, often, misinforms. 

Adding to this complex landscape is the role of artificial intelligence. AI technologies have made it easier to create and distribute realistic yet fabricated content, such as deepfake videos and AI-generated news articles. So it’s not surprising that 38% of our survey respondents expressed concern about the impact AI could have on the spread of misinformation, and this number is likely to rise as these technologies become more advanced.

It’s not that readers are uninformed. Our survey shows that Americans spend a significant amount of time each day consuming news – on average, two hours and two minutes. While they continue to rely on traditional media like newspaper web sites, radio and TV (67 minutes a day), much of their news diet now includes social media (55 minutes a day). 

Our survey found that the majority of respondents trust their local newspapers (66%) and TV stations (65%). National newspapers and network TV are similarly trusted by the majority of Americans (63% and 62%, respectively). 

Yet, social media platforms are viewed with much more suspicion. Only 41% of Americans trust X (formerly Twitter), and trust in Instagram (39%), Facebook (38%), and TikTok (36%) are even lower. This gap between how much time people spend on social media and how little they trust it highlights a paradox in today’s information ecosystem. Despite the convenience and accessibility of social platforms, they remain hotbeds for the spread of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and unverified claims.

As we count down the days to the election, misinformation will continue to swirl. Fortunately, however, there are many ways readers can protect themselves.

  1. Rely on trusted sources: In a media landscape filled with questionable information, it’s essential to stick to established, credible news outlets.
  2. Fact-check suspicious claims: If a story seems overly dramatic or too good (or bad) to be true, take a moment to verify it with another source. Websites like PolitiFact and AP FactCheck offer easy ways to confirm or debunk questionable claims​. 
  3. Think before you share: Misinformation often takes the form of “ragebait”—content designed to provoke a strong emotional reaction. If you find yourself feeling outraged or shocked and wanting to share a piece of content, pause before sharing or reacting, and consider the source​.
  4. Seek multiple perspectives: One of the best ways to avoid falling victim to misinformation is to expose yourself to a variety of viewpoints. Consuming news from multiple sources helps build a more balanced and accurate understanding of the issues​.

Although today’s news ecosystem is confusing, distracting, and noisy, it is within our control to access and share reliable information from quality sources. Especially in elections of this magnitude, we owe it to ourselves and our communities to push back on the rising tide of misinformation.

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Ben Leiner and Rohini Venkatesan work at SmartNews, a news aggregation app that features hundreds of trusted media outlets.