Double transition of information spreading in a two-layered network

TL;DR

This paper introduces a two-layered network model for information spreading that reveals a novel double transition phenomenon, driven by inter-layer interactions, with implications for understanding secondary outbreaks in real-world scenarios.

Contribution

It presents a new SAR model on two-layer networks showing a double transition in spreading dynamics, which was not observed in previous single-layer models.

Findings

Identifies a double transition in the phase diagram of information spreading.

Highlights the importance of weak coupling and degree distribution differences.

Develops an edge-based theory explaining the observed phenomena.

Abstract

A great deal of significant progress has been seen in the study of information spreading on populations of networked individuals. A common point in many of past studies is that there is only one transition in the phase diagram of the final accepted size versus the transmission probability. However, whether other factors alter this phenomenology is still under debate, especially for the case of information spreading through many channels and platforms. In the present study, we adopt a two-layered network to represent the interactions of multiple channels and propose a SAR (Susceptible-Accepted-Recovered) information spreading model. Interestingly, our model shows a novel double transition including a continuous transition and a following discontinuous transition in the phase diagram, which originates from two outbreaks between the two layers of the network. Further, we reveal that the key factors are a weak coupling condition between the two layers, a large adoption threshold and the difference of the degree distributions between the two layers. Then, an edge-based compartmental theory is developed which fully explains all numerical results. Our findings may be of significance for understanding the secondary outbreaks of the information in real life.