Senior citizens, regardless of their political views, are the age group most likely to share fake news items on Facebook, according to a study released on Wednesday.
The analysis by researchers at Princeton and New York University found that those over age 65 spread far more fake news than young people, regardless of gender, race, income, education or how many links they share overall.
The study, conducted in the months before and after the 2016 presidential election, concluded that the 65 and over Facebook users shared nearly seven times as many articles from websites widely acknowledged as purveyors of fake news and hoaxes than those in the 18-29 age group.
The numbers go beyond reading a headline or clicking onto a story. The study focuses specifically on those who share phony stories, thereby contributing to the spread of fake news. The 3,500 study participants agreed to use a computer app that compiled all of their sharing done while on Facebook.
Only 8.5 percent of users in the study digitally shared at least one link from a fake news site. According to TheVerge.com, users who identified as conservative were much more likely than liberals to share fake news. Some 18 percent of Republicans shared links to fake news sites, compared to less than 4 percent of Democrats.
The researchers attributed this variance to past studies showing that in 2016 the overwhelming amount of fake news on Facebook was pro-Donald Trump or anti-Hillary Clinton.
In terms of age, 11 percent of users older than 65 shared at least one hoax, more than twice as many as the next age group, those 45-65.
Chad:
I disagree with the results of the survey. Surveys are tough to construct. My (very)unscientific opinion is it is a lack of training in critical thinking. I qualify as a senior & people I have known find cliches the easiest way to go.