Peer influence, risk propensity and fear of missing out in sharing misinformation on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Main Authors: Ebardo, Ryan A., De La Cuesta, Josephine M., Catedrilla, Jypzie M., Wibowo, Santoso
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2020
• Subjects: Misinformation; Peer pressure; Fear of missing out; Social media and society
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/12504
• Institution: De La Salle University

Widespread misinformation on social media is high, and this is made worse during a publich health crisis. While literature on technological solutions to combat misinformation abounds, limited studies have investigated the psychology behond why misinformationis in rapid diffusion in this digital platform. Using a sample of 209 students, we tested the relationships of peer influence, risk propensity and fear of missing out on the behavioral intention to share misinformation on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the results supported prior literature that peer influence on sharing misinformation on social media. While risk propensity has a positive influence on shairng misinformation, this cannot be supported at a significant level. We conclude this paper by discussing the implications of our study to academic policies on formal and informal disaster education while highlighting the limitations of the study to provide directions for fututre scholarly endeavors.