Australians Struggle to Identify Misinformation Despite High Social Media Use

Australians now use social media more frequently than any other form of media, including television, radio, and websites, according to recent research. While this shift creates new opportunities for information access and engagement, it also brings significant challenges related to the spread of misinformation.

A comprehensive new study reveals a concerning gap in Australians’ ability to verify online information, with 97% of adults demonstrating limited skills in this critical area. The research, conducted with 2,115 participants representing Australia’s adult population, tested people’s ability to evaluate the reliability and trustworthiness of online content.

“The sheer volume of information available on social media is overwhelming,” explains Dr. Tanya Notley, one of the study’s researchers. “These platforms can be used to target people with false, manipulative and misleading claims, making verification skills more important than ever.”

Participants in the study were shown two real-life web pages and two social media posts, then asked to evaluate each one and decide whether the content was reliable. They could use any device and search online to verify information, mirroring real-world conditions.

The results paint a troubling picture: almost half (45%) of Australian adults demonstrated “no ability” to perform basic online verification, while 52% showed only an “emerging ability.” A mere 3% of respondents displayed “developing ability” by scoring four or more points on the eight-point scale used in the assessment.

The gap between perceived and actual verification skills is particularly striking. In a previous survey, 42% of adult Australians expressed confidence in their ability to verify online information. However, the new study found that among those same confident respondents, 39% demonstrated no verification ability whatsoever, and 55% possessed only basic skills.

“Many people significantly overestimate their ability to spot misinformation,” notes Professor Michael Dezuanni, another researcher involved in the study. “This confidence gap is concerning because it may prevent people from seeking to improve their skills.”

The research identified several common behaviors that hinder effective verification. Many people relied on existing beliefs rather than scrutinizing claims, made snap judgments based on past experiences with content producers, or simply accepted content at face value based on gut feelings or emotional responses.

These unhelpful approaches prevented people from engaging in “lateral reading” – the practice of leaving the original page to check other sources when assessing credibility. Digital literacy experts consider lateral reading an essential skill in today’s information landscape.

Interestingly, news consumption habits appear to influence verification abilities. Heavy news consumers performed better than non-news consumers, with only 36% of avid news followers falling into the “no ability” category, compared to 59% of those who don’t consume news regularly.

“This suggests that regular exposure to quality journalism, which typically undergoes fact-checking and editorial review, may help people develop better verification skills,” says media researcher Dr. Caroline Fisher.

Unlike many advanced democracies such as the Netherlands and Finland, Australia lacks a national media literacy strategy. This policy gap leaves Australians vulnerable in an increasingly complex information environment.

The research reveals strong public support for addressing this issue, with 82% of study participants agreeing that adults need access to media literacy education. Respondents expressed interest in various delivery methods, including online tutorials, short videos, and library-based resources.

The findings come at a critical time, following the federal government’s recent failure to pass misinformation legislation. Experts argue that even with legal frameworks, addressing misinformation requires equipping citizens with the skills to identify and respond to false information.

As Australians continue to navigate an information landscape dominated by social media, the development of verification skills has become essential for making informed decisions about everything from voting and purchasing to health advice and personal safety. Without these critical skills, the impact of misinformation on Australian society is likely to grow.