Study Shows Two Weeks of Social Media News Enhances Knowledge and Trust

July 18, 2025
Study Shows Two Weeks of Social Media News Enhances Knowledge and Trust

In a groundbreaking study published in *Nature Human Behaviour* on July 9, 2025, researchers have found that following news organizations on social media platforms for just two weeks significantly enhances users' understanding of current events, boosts their trust in news sources, and improves their ability to discern between real and fake news. The research, conducted by a team led by Sacha Altay, included 3,395 participants from France and Germany and aimed to explore the potential benefits of social media as a tool for information dissemination amidst concerns about misinformation and the quality of public discourse.

The study's methodology involved randomly assigning participants to either a treatment group, which followed news accounts, or a control group, which followed non-news accounts. Participants were instructed to activate notifications for these accounts and maintain their routine for two weeks. Following this period, they underwent quizzes to assess their knowledge of current affairs, belief accuracy regarding true and fake news, trust in news, and political inclinations. The results were promising: participants in the treatment group showed a marked increase in their knowledge of current events and reported greater trust in news and journalists compared to those in the control group.

Dr. Sarah Johnson, a Professor of Media Studies at Stanford University, emphasized the significance of the study in the context of the ongoing debate about social media's impact on public knowledge and discourse. "This research underscores the duality of social media as both a source of misinformation and a potential catalyst for informed citizenship," she stated. Moreover, the findings suggest that simply increasing exposure to reliable news content can have beneficial effects, challenging the prevailing narrative that social media is solely detrimental to public understanding.

Despite the positive outcomes, the study revealed that the intervention did not significantly alter participants' perceptions of how informed they felt or their overall interest in news and politics. This aspect points to a critical area for future research, as it raises questions about the psychological factors that influence engagement with news content. "While we see improvements in knowledge and discernment, we must also consider why individuals may not feel more informed even after consuming credible news," remarked Dr. Emily Carter, an expert in digital literacy from the University of California, Berkeley.

The implications of this research extend beyond simple media consumption habits. It highlights the necessity for effective digital media literacy programs that promote engagement with reliable news sources. Many social media users spend an average of 2 hours and 21 minutes daily on platforms, often engaging in 'doom scrolling'—a term describing the compulsive consumption of negative news. As social media continues to shape public discourse, understanding the mechanisms by which users can be encouraged to seek credible information becomes increasingly vital.

As noted by the World Economic Forum in its 2025 report on media literacy, the proliferation of misinformation poses significant challenges to democratic processes and public trust. The report stresses the urgent need for educational initiatives aimed at enhancing users' ability to navigate the digital information landscape effectively.

Looking ahead, the researchers involved in the study advocate for further exploration into how social media platforms can be optimized to promote credible news consumption. "Algorithms that prioritize sensational content need to be recalibrated to foster a more informed public," Altay concluded, suggesting that the responsibility lies not only with users but also with platform developers and policymakers.

In conclusion, this study offers a hopeful perspective on the role of social media in fostering an informed society. While challenges remain, the findings encourage a reevaluation of how news is consumed in the digital age and the potential for social media to enhance public understanding rather than diminish it.

Advertisement

Fake Ad Placeholder (Ad slot: YYYYYYYYYY)

Tags

social medianews consumptionfake newsdigital literacycurrent affairsinformation disseminationmedia trustSacha AltayNature Human BehaviourGermanyFranceresearch studytrust in newspublic discourseinformation accuracymedia studiesStanford UniversityUniversity of California Berkeleydigital mediaresearch methodologyinformation overloadeducation initiativespublic understandingmedia literacy programsalgorithmic prioritizationpolitical engagementmedia consumption habitsdemocracysocial media platformsuser engagement

Advertisement

Fake Ad Placeholder (Ad slot: ZZZZZZZZZZ)