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Information Overload is one of the key drivers of The rise of online untruths.

The overwhelming volume of information available online—contributes to the rapid spread of online untruths by making it harder for a literate person to discern credible sources and prioritize accurate information.

Here's how it works:

1. Difficulty in Processing Vast Amounts of Information
   • Cognitive Overload: The human brain has a limited capacity to process information. When people are bombarded with a constant stream of news, social media posts, videos, and opinions, they may struggle to evaluate the reliability of each piece of content.
   • Shortcut Thinking: Faced with an abundance of information, people often rely on mental shortcuts, such as believing content that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or trusting the opinions of friends and influencers without verification.
2. Equal Visibility for True and False Information
   • Platform Neutrality: On many platforms, misinformation is presented alongside legitimate content without clear distinctions, giving both equal visibility. This can make false information seem as credible as verified facts.
   • Crowded Attention Space: In a sea of competing content, misinformation often stands out because it is designed to be attention-grabbing, using sensational headlines or emotionally charged language.
3. Reduced Time for Critical Evaluation
   • Fast Consumption Culture: Social media encourages quick scrolling and immediate reactions. Users may not take the time to verify the accuracy of a claim before liking, sharing, or commenting.
   • Pressure to Stay Updated: In the 24/7 news cycle, people may feel the need to consume and share information quickly to stay informed, increasing the likelihood of sharing unverified content.
4. Amplification by Algorithms
   • Personalized Feeds: Algorithms prioritize content based on user preferences and behavior. This creates echo chambers where users are exposed to similar types of content repeatedly, reinforcing false narratives.
   • Popularity Bias: Content that is already popular—whether true or false—is more likely to be recommended or shown to others, exacerbating the spread of misinformation.
5. Erosion of Trust in Traditional Gatekeepers
   • Decline of Trusted Sources: In a crowded and chaotic information environment, traditional gatekeepers such as journalists and experts may struggle to stand out.
   • Rise of Peer Influence: People increasingly rely on peers or influencers for information, which can amplify unverified or false claims when trusted figures share misinformation.

A digitally literate person can avoid the traps of information overload that drive the rise of online untruths by applying critical thinking, leveraging reliable tools, and adopting mindful behaviors.

Here’s how:

1. Prioritize Credible Sources
   • Recognize Authority: A digitally literate person knows how to identify credible sources of information, such as well-established news outlets, academic journals, and verified experts.
   • Verify Before Trusting: They cross-check information against multiple reputable sources to confirm its accuracy.
   • Beware of Bias: They assess whether a source might have a particular agenda or bias and consider how that might affect the information presented.
2. Practice Critical Thinking
   • Ask Key Questions: Who created this content, and what is their motivation? Is there evidence to support the claim, or is it based on opinions and anecdotes? Are opposing viewpoints or evidence omitted?
   • Look for Red Flags: A digitally literate person is alert to the hallmarks of misinformation, such as sensational headlines, lack of citations, and emotionally manipulative language.
3. Use Digital Tools Wisely
   • Fact-Checking Resources: Leverage tools like Snopes, FactCheck.org, or PolitiFact to verify claims. Use reverse image search to confirm the authenticity of photos or videos.
   • Content Quality Signals: They check for markers of credibility, such as website domains (.gov, .edu), author credentials, and publication dates.
4. Manage Information Overload
   • Filter Content: Follow only trusted sources and avoid unreliable or sensationalist platforms. Use tools like RSS feeds, curated newsletters, or bookmarking apps to organize reliable information.
   • Limit Consumption: A digitally literate person sets boundaries on how much time they spend consuming information to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
   • Avoid Echo Chambers: They intentionally seek diverse perspectives to prevent overexposure to a single narrative.
5. Slow Down and Reflect
   • Pause Before Sharing: Digitally literate individuals resist the urge to immediately share content, taking time to verify its accuracy. They understand that sharing false information—even unintentionally—amplifies its reach.
   • Engage Thoughtfully: They focus on understanding and discussing issues deeply rather than contributing to the rapid spread of surface-level content.
6. Educate and Influence Others
   • Model Good Practices: They demonstrate responsible online behavior, such as fact-checking and critical evaluation.
   • Encourage Accountability: When they encounter untruths, they politely correct misinformation, share verified facts, and report harmful content to platform moderators.
   • Teach Others: They help friends and family develop their own digital literacy skills, creating a ripple effect in reducing the spread of falsehoods.

Actions to mitigate the effect of information overload on the spreading of untruths include:

• Towards users:
  • The Promotion of Digital Literacy: Teach people how to identify credible sources, fact-check claims, and avoid sharing unverified content.
  • Empower Users to Pause: Campaigns like “Think Before You Share” can encourage users to take a moment to verify content before amplifying it.
• Towards platforms:
  • Encourage Platform Responsibility: Advocate for clearer labeling of verified content and the downranking of unverified or sensational posts.
  • Support Fact-Checking Tools: Make fact-checking easily accessible and integrated into platforms.

These actions could be included in UN Global Principles for Information Integrity - Next Steps.