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Twitter Leads Trust Rankings for COVID-19 Information Among Arab Social Media Users, Study Finds
A comprehensive study examining social media usage during the COVID-19 pandemic across nine Arab countries has revealed that Twitter ranked highest in user trust for pandemic-related information, while WhatsApp was identified as the primary channel for spreading rumors and misinformation.
The research, which surveyed 1,274 respondents from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, provides valuable insights into how Arab social media users evaluated information credibility during the global health crisis.
According to the findings, Twitter topped the trust rankings with a weighted average of 2.06 (on a 3-point scale), followed by Instagram (1.88), YouTube (1.85), WhatsApp (1.73), Snapchat (1.59), and Facebook (1.54). Notably, TikTok received the lowest trust rating at just 1.20.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, people resorted predominantly to internet-based sources to gather information about symptoms and precautionary measures,” explained lead researcher Dr. Hasan Khalifa, who noted that these platforms became critical information channels as public anxiety about the virus grew.
The study revealed significant levels of skepticism across all platforms. Only 25.8% of respondents expressed full confidence in Twitter content, while just 5% completely trusted information shared on Facebook. TikTok fared worst, with a mere 1.1% of users reporting full trust in its COVID-19 content.
When examining platforms most frequently associated with spreading rumors, WhatsApp emerged as the clear leader. A striking 73.1% of respondents identified the messaging platform as “always spreading rumors” related to coronavirus, far exceeding other social networks. Snapchat (38.5%), Facebook (40.1%), and TikTok (41.8%) were also frequently cited as problematic sources.
“WhatsApp’s private messaging format makes it particularly susceptible to unchecked information flow,” noted digital media analyst Ahmed Rahman, who was not involved in the study. “Unlike public platforms where fact-checking can occur more visibly, messaging apps create closed information ecosystems that can amplify misinformation rapidly.”
Despite trust concerns, the study found that users remained highly engaged with pandemic content across all platforms. Nearly half (46.7%) of respondents reported regularly reading COVID-19 news without sharing it, while approximately 15-20% actively engaged by writing comments, sharing posts, or recording “likes” on pandemic-related content.
The research comes amid growing global concern about misinformation during health crises. Previous studies have demonstrated that false information typically spreads faster and reaches more people than accurate content, particularly regarding political and health topics.
“Fake news spreads from sources to consumers through a complex ecosystem of websites, social media, and bots,” the researchers noted. “Features that make social media engaging, including the ease of sharing and rewiring social connections, facilitate their manipulation by highly active and partisan individuals.”
The study’s demographic profile showed that most respondents were well-educated, with 92.9% holding college degrees, and experienced social media users, with 88.5% reporting more than five years of platform usage. This suggests the findings represent a digitally literate population that still struggled with information reliability during the crisis.
Health authorities and communication experts have emphasized the importance of digital literacy in combating misinformation during public health emergencies. The World Health Organization has referred to the “infodemic” accompanying the pandemic as a serious challenge requiring coordinated responses from governments, platforms, and users.
The researchers recommend further studies to explore fake news diffusion during non-crisis periods, investigate factors affecting misinformation spread, and examine larger samples incorporating variables like income and cultural context.
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18 Comments
It’s concerning to see the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on social media, especially in the Arab region. Tackling this challenge requires a multifaceted approach across different platforms.
Absolutely. Investing in digital literacy programs and strengthening fact-checking mechanisms should be priorities to empower users and curb the proliferation of false information.
The findings on the varying trust levels in social media platforms for COVID-19 information in the Arab region are thought-provoking. This data can inform future public health communication efforts.
Absolutely. Leveraging the platforms with higher trust ratings, such as Twitter, could be a strategic approach to disseminate accurate and reliable information during emergencies.
Twitter’s high ranking for COVID-19 information trust in the Arab world is encouraging. However, the study also highlights the need for continuous vigilance against misinformation on all social media channels.
Yes, no single platform can be complacent. Collaborative efforts between social media companies, governments, and civil society will be essential to address this complex issue.
The findings on WhatsApp being a primary channel for COVID-19 misinformation are troubling. Messaging apps with end-to-end encryption pose unique challenges for content moderation.
You’re right. Addressing misinformation on these platforms will require innovative solutions, such as user education and the development of verification tools integrated within the apps.
The research provides valuable insights into the social media landscape in the Arab world during the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscores the need for a nuanced, platform-specific approach to addressing misinformation.
Agreed. Developing effective strategies to counter the spread of false information requires a deep understanding of user behavior and trust patterns across different social media channels.
The study highlights the importance of understanding how different social media platforms are perceived in terms of information credibility, especially during a global health crisis. This can inform targeted interventions.
Exactly. Tailoring fact-checking and media literacy efforts to the specific needs and preferences of users on each platform could be more effective in combating misinformation.
Interesting to see how social media usage and trust varied across the Arab world during the pandemic. It highlights the need to tackle misinformation effectively on different platforms.
Yes, the findings on WhatsApp being a major channel for rumors are concerning. Platforms need to improve moderation and fact-checking to address this issue.
The low trust rating for TikTok is notable. As newer social media platforms gain popularity, it will be crucial to ensure robust fact-checking and content moderation measures are in place.
Agreed. Emerging platforms should learn from the challenges faced by older social media in managing health-related misinformation effectively.
The study provides valuable insights into how Arab social media users evaluated COVID-19 information credibility. It will be important to build on these findings to improve public trust in online sources.
Absolutely. Enhancing digital literacy and critical thinking skills among social media users could also help combat the spread of misinformation during future crises.