By WILLIAM DUTTON and LALEAH FERNANDEZ
Major concerns have been raised over the impact of fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles. But how pervasive are these problems? What proportion of internet users are susceptible to such sources of disinformation? Based on a seven nation comparative survey of internet users, we have identified those most likely to be vulnerable to the different but related risks of fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles. Counter to widespread expectations, we find only a small proportion of internet users are likely to be at risk in these countries.
DownloadAmid the concern about the impact of fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles, WILLIAM DUTTON and LALEAH FERNANDEZ find there is not such a big problem – and a solution lies in ‘nudge’ theory.
- Intermedia Issue:
- Volume 46, Issue 04
- Issue Date:
- December 2018
- Theme:
- Content: innovation, regulation and markets, Privacy, Safety, Security
William Dutton
Emeritus professor, University of Southern California 
Laleah Fernandez
Assistant Director of the Quello Center in the Department of Media and Information, Michigan State University. 
