Major
Nursing
Anticipated Graduation Year
May 2027
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
This paper examines how social media platforms contribute to the spread of science denial and explores strategies to combat misinformation. The rise of digital platforms such as Twitter (now X) and Facebook has transformed how information is shared, but it has also created fertile ground for the rapid diffusion of false or misleading content. Research by Harman et al. (2025) demonstrates that science denial has far-reaching social consequences, delaying policy responses, undermining collective action, and increasing societal vulnerability. Lanier et al. (2022) further reveal how hashtags like #plandemic and #scamdemic on Twitter amplified COVID-19 misinformation, fueling pandemic denial and anti-public-health sentiment. Similarly, O’Brien et al. (2021) show that misinformation about COVID-19 prevention and vaccines directly influenced public behaviors, contributing to higher infection and mortality rates. Nicolosi et al. (2025) expand this discussion by examining how misinformation surrounding climate change on Twitter both spreads denial and shapes public understanding of environmental issues.
While the dangers of misinformation are well-documented, effective solutions remain challenging. Musmar (2021) identifies several interventions, such as fact-checking systems, algorithmic moderation, and digital literacy education, to limit the diffusion of fake news. However, these efforts often struggle to match the speed and volume of online misinformation. Emotional and sensational content tends to spread more rapidly than factual information, and users who distrust media or science may disregard corrections altogether. Overall, the evidence underscores that misinformation on social media not only distorts public understanding of science but also influences real-world decisions and outcomes. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies that go beyond content moderation, strategies that build public trust, promote critical thinking, and strengthen communication between scientists, policymakers, and digital communities.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Dr. Hans Svebakken
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Misinformation in the Digital Age: How Social Media Fuels Science Denial and Ways to Stop It
This paper examines how social media platforms contribute to the spread of science denial and explores strategies to combat misinformation. The rise of digital platforms such as Twitter (now X) and Facebook has transformed how information is shared, but it has also created fertile ground for the rapid diffusion of false or misleading content. Research by Harman et al. (2025) demonstrates that science denial has far-reaching social consequences, delaying policy responses, undermining collective action, and increasing societal vulnerability. Lanier et al. (2022) further reveal how hashtags like #plandemic and #scamdemic on Twitter amplified COVID-19 misinformation, fueling pandemic denial and anti-public-health sentiment. Similarly, O’Brien et al. (2021) show that misinformation about COVID-19 prevention and vaccines directly influenced public behaviors, contributing to higher infection and mortality rates. Nicolosi et al. (2025) expand this discussion by examining how misinformation surrounding climate change on Twitter both spreads denial and shapes public understanding of environmental issues.
While the dangers of misinformation are well-documented, effective solutions remain challenging. Musmar (2021) identifies several interventions, such as fact-checking systems, algorithmic moderation, and digital literacy education, to limit the diffusion of fake news. However, these efforts often struggle to match the speed and volume of online misinformation. Emotional and sensational content tends to spread more rapidly than factual information, and users who distrust media or science may disregard corrections altogether. Overall, the evidence underscores that misinformation on social media not only distorts public understanding of science but also influences real-world decisions and outcomes. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies that go beyond content moderation, strategies that build public trust, promote critical thinking, and strengthen communication between scientists, policymakers, and digital communities.