Vulnerable populations and misinformation: A mixed-methods approach to underserved older adults’ online information assessment

Abstract

This study examines how low-income African-American older adults, one of the groups most vulnerable to misinformation online, assess the credibility of online information. In examining this, we conducted both face-to-face interviews and a survey and then analyzed how their digital media use, demographics, self-efficacy, and involvement with particular topics were associated with their credibility assessments of online information. Our results suggest that education and topic involvement are statistically significant factors associated with assessments of message content and source credibility. Moreover, for our respondents, assessments of content credibility, as opposed to those of source credibility, were far more challenging. This research is one of the few studies examining online information credibility assessments made by low-income minority older adults. Theoretical and practical implications of our results are discussed in the context of misinformation, credibility assessment, and the digital divide.

Knowledge and information credibility evaluation strategies regarding COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

“…Credibility sourcing. During the survey session, an established approach of introducing scenarios of conflicting accounts to assess participants’ strategies for evaluating credibility of information, was used ( Barzilai & Zohar, 2012 ; Seo, Blomberg, Altschwager, & Vu, 2020 ; Thomm et al, 2017 ). Each participant was asked to evaluate two conflicting articles about the COVID-19 pandemic origin in terms of its credibility and trustworthiness.…”

Country Characteristics, Internet Connectivity and Combating Misinformation: A Network Analysis of Global North-South

“…For example, Kruger's study [32] at the University of Hong Kong showed that an experiential learning project of developing undergraduate students' online information assessment skills resulted in a significant increase in the quality of assessment techniques and critical thinking by the students. Similarly, Seo et al [4] found that digital information literacy workshops to older, low-income minority adults in the United States helped them better evaluate health-related information online.…”

“…Understanding how to enhance citizens' abilities to interpret news and information and evaluate the quality of information has been a key concern of governmental and nongovernmental agencies [4] [7] [13]. Media literacy, information literacy, and digital literacy are the most widely used concepts in this area [14] [15].…”

“…Misinformation is a multi-faceted problem with individual researchers, governments, and nongovernmental organizations defining and approaching it in various ways [4] [5]. Some solutions to misinformation have focused on developing computational methods to detect and deter misinformation, while others have emphasized the importance of strengthening citizens' abilities to assess information online.…”

Returning to the digital world: Digital technology use and privacy management of women transitioning from incarceration

“…Systematic research based on direct interactions with this population is essential to developing an education program tailored for the women's particular needs and interests. Specifically, a longitudinal technology education model informed by rigorous formative research would help center participants' interests and needs in designing education programs (Seo et al, 2020(Seo et al, , 2019.…”