News finds me: Study identifies a widespread phenomenon linked to fake news susceptibility

A recent study conducted by researchers from Fudan University and Syracuse University, published in Computers in Human Behavior, sheds light on a troubling trend in today’s digital media landscape. The study explores how the “News-Finds-Me” perception—a belief that important news will naturally reach individuals through social media without active effort—contributes to overconfidence in identifying fake news. This mindset not only heightens susceptibility to misinformation but also encourages the sharing of false stories.

Social media has revolutionized how people consume and share information, but it has also become a fertile ground for misinformation. Unlike traditional news sources, social media platforms often prioritize engagement over accuracy, using algorithms to amplify content that garners likes, shares, or comments. This system can lead to the viral spread of misinformation, as false or misleading information is often designed to be emotionally provocative and easily digestible.

Many users adopt a “News-Finds-Me” mentality, believing they can remain informed without actively seeking out verified information. Instead, they rely on algorithms and social media peers to deliver important updates. This passive approach to news consumption creates an illusion of knowledge, fostering overconfidence in one’s ability to discern truth from falsehood. Compounding the issue, this mindset often leads to disengagement from traditional news outlets, which typically adhere to fact-checking and editorial standards.

The researchers conducted this study to better understand how these patterns of news consumption contribute to susceptibility to misinformation and its subsequent spread. By focusing on the “News-Finds-Me” perception and its link to Third-Person Perception—a cognitive bias where individuals believe they are less influenced by misinformation than others—the study aimed to uncover mechanisms that explain why some people are more prone to believing and sharing fake news.

To examine this, the researchers conducted an online survey of 1,014 adults across the United States. Conducted between late February and mid-March 2023, the survey was designed to be nationally representative, balancing factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity.

To measure the “News-Finds-Me” perception, participants responded to statements like, “I rely on my friends to tell me what’s important when news happens” and “I don’t have to actively seek news because it will find me.” These responses captured the extent to which participants passively consumed news through algorithms and peers rather than actively seeking verified information.

To measure Third-Person Perception, participants rated their own and others’ susceptibility to fake news and were asked to evaluate a series of headlines, including both verified news and widely debunked fake news. By comparing participants’ self-assessments with their actual ability to distinguish fake from real news, the study captured the extent of their overconfidence in avoiding misinformation.

The survey also assessed participants’ intent to share fake news by asking whether they would share certain headlines on social media. The fake news headlines included a mix of politically conservative and liberal content to control for partisan biases.

The researchers found that the “News-Finds-Me” perception was widespread. Over half of the participants (55.2%) endorsed this mindset. This passive approach to news consumption was more common among younger users and those who used social media extensively.

Participants who relied on the News-Finds-Me mindset were more likely to find fake news headlines credible. This was especially concerning because vulnerability to fake news was strongly associated with an increased likelihood of sharing misinformation.

The researchers also found strong evidence of Third-Person Perception bias among participants. Many believed they were more adept at recognizing fake news than others, yet nearly 40% of those who expressed such confidence were less capable than average at distinguishing fake from real news.

Importantly, the study identified a significant relationship between the “News-Finds-Me” perception and Third-Person Perception, demonstrating that these two psychological factors reinforce each other in ways that heighten vulnerability to misinformation. Individuals with a strong “News-Finds-Me” mindset were more likely to exhibit Third-Person Perception.

One way the “News-Finds-Me” perception might contribute to Third-Person Perception is by fostering an illusion of knowledgeability. Individuals who passively consume news through social media may feel well-informed despite lacking a comprehensive understanding of current events. This false sense of knowledge leads them to overestimate their ability to resist fake news.

Another potential factor linking the two perceptions is the role of social media algorithms and peer networks. Those with a “News-Finds-Me” mindset tend to rely on like-minded peers and personalized algorithms to curate their news feeds. This creates echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs and make them feel insulated from misinformation. However, this reliance on limited and potentially biased sources can amplify overconfidence.

The study, like all research, has some caveats. Notably, its cross-sectional design prevents the establishment of causality. For example, it remains unclear whether the News-Finds-Me perception leads to overconfidence or whether overconfidence fosters this passive mindset. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these dynamics.

The study, “From news disengagement to fake news engagement: Examining the role of news-finds-me perceptions in vulnerability to fake news through third-person perception,” was authored by Yu Tian and Lars Willnat.