How online misinformation works: a costly signalling perspective

TL;DR

This paper applies costly signalling theory to understand how online social media environments influence the incentives for truthful communication, highlighting features that affect misinformation spread.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of costly signalling theory to online misinformation, analyzing how online features alter social incentives for honesty.

Findings

Online features impact the credibility of information.

Gamification and anonymity influence truthful communication.

Online spaces can both hinder and promote honest discourse.

Abstract

This chapter explores how online communication, particularly on social media, reshapes the reputational incentives that motivate speakers to communicate truthfully. Drawing on costly signalling theory (CST), it examines how online contexts alter the social mechanisms that sustain honest communication. Key characteristics of online spaces are identified and discussed, namely (i) the presence of novel speech acts like reposting, (ii) the gamification of communication, (iii) information overload, (iv) the presence of anonymous and unaccountable sources and (v) the increased reach and persistence of online communication. Both epistemic pitfalls and potential benefits of these features are discussed, identifying promising avenues for further empirical investigation, and underscoring CST's value for understanding and tackling online misinformation.