Sharing Lies: A Socio-Technical Review on False Information Dissemination

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of false information dissemination, focusing on factors influencing its spread in the context of social media and information systems. The study synthesizes recent literature to identify and categorize 30 influence factors into eight main categories: demographic, personality-related, psychological, policy- and values-based, informational, media consumption-related, motivational, and preventive factors. Key findings indicate that low education, high extraversion, and conservative values significantly increase false information dissemination. Additionally, social media usage, emotional responses, and information overload play critical roles in promoting its dissemination. Preventive strategies, such as labeling content and training in false information recognition, are also examined. This review aims to improve understanding of the dynamics of false information dissemination and proposes strategies to mitigate its impact.