Our nudge is a digital tool – embedded in social media platforms or browser extensions. It allows users to report potential fake news with just one click and to directly access a high-quality information source, such as a fact-check, with minimal effort. Striking visual markers interrupt scrolling and deliberately direct users’ attention. Users are encouraged to critically question the content they have just read. This transforms the quick scrolling and consumption into a brief, conscious moment of reflection, which is then translated into action by the nudge.
Fake news are deliberately spread misinformation that stirs emotions and manipulates opinions through misleading phrasing, decontextualization or other strategies. Especially in a political context, for example before elections, fake news increase and can, in the worst case, destabilize and endanger democracy. Particularly on social media or digital platforms like TikTok, Meta, or X, these contents spread rapidly due to their emotionality and polarizing nature.
We want users to critically question political content and actively report fake news. Furthermore, there should be an easy way to verify information in posts on social media. This can counter the uncertainty that not all fake news are immediately identified as such. Our nudge is intended to strengthen and spotlight digital self-responsibility.
Spot it. Check it. Stop it.
"Others will report it."
In digital spaces, many people do not feel personally responsible. The consequence: Fake news go unreported. Our nudge breaks through this passivity by making it clear that every person can and should take responsibility - and thereby make a difference.
"I should check this now, but it's too much effort for me."
Many users consciously avoid questioning information because it takes time and energy. Particularly in fast scrolling, reporting or researching seems like an unnecessary effort. Our nudge addresses precisely this phenomenon and lowers the barriers to reporting fake news as well as verifying information.
"What if it somehow turns out to be true?"
When content is not clearly recognizable as false, uncertainty arises. Out of fear of making a mistake, many refrain from reporting. Our nudge takes this uncertainty seriously and offers a simple way to specifically verify information.
Our target audience primarily consists of young adults who regularly inform themselves
about political topics through platforms like TikTok, X, Instagram, or YouTube. They are
digitally active, but often lack solid media literacy. At the same time, they carry enormous
potential for digital education – provided they are addressed in a targeted and engaging
manner. As so-called digital natives, they grew up with social media, but have usually not
learned to engage with it reflectively. Often, the necessary support from authority figures
was lacking, because they themselves were overwhelmed by the rapid digital
development.
The nudge motivates users to think and act independently – they take
responsibility for their information behavior and experience self-efficacy in the
digital space.
By utilizing high-quality information sources in our nudge, the importance of
transparent information is highlighted and freedom of opinion is strengthened –
central elements of democratic societies.
The more active users interact with the nudge, the better and more reliably they
recognize manipulative content and develop a stronger awareness of fake news on
social networks.
merisa.cekic@stud.hshl.de
marie.muehlenweg@stud.hshl.de
hannah.stegmaier@stud.hshl.de
lilly.schulze-suenninghausen@stud.hshl.de
