Associated Press

One of the most promising responses to misinformation may also be one of the simplest, according to a paper published in the journal Science Advances

Soon after the Russian invasion, the hoaxes began. Ukrainian refugees were taking jobs, committing crimes and abusing handouts. The misinformation spread rapidly online throughout Eastern Europe, sometimes pushed by Moscow in an effort to destabilize its neighbors.

From the archives (March 2022): How Putin regime’s baseless claims about Ukraine biolabs have attracted adherents in U.S.

It’s the kind of swift spread of falsehoods that has been blamed in many countries for increased polarization and an erosion of trust in democratic institutions, journalism and science.

But countering or stopping misinformation has proven elusive.

The social platforms Facebook and Twitter often remove misinformation that violates their rules, and are criticized both for doing so and for failing to do more. Other platforms like Telegram and Gab take a largely hands-off approach to misinformation.

New findings from university researchers and Google, however, reveal that one of the most promising responses to misinformation may also be one of the simplest.

In a paper published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, the researchers detail how short online videos that teach basic critical-thinking skills can make people better able to resist misinformation.

Also (February 2022): Firehose of disinformation foreseen by Biden...

Read Full Story: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/google-and-academic-research-points-to-earl...