Nudging social media sharing towards accuracy

Recent work indicates that a meaningful portion of online misinformation sharing can be attributed to users merely failing to consider accuracy when deciding what to share. As a result, simply redirecting attention to the concept of accuracy can increase sharing discernment. Here we discuss the relevance of accuracy, and outline a limited-attention utility model that formalizes a theory about inattention to accuracy on social media. Research showing how a simple nudge or prompt that shifts attention to accuracy increases the quality of news that people share (typically by decreasing the sharing of false content) is reviewed. We then discuss outstanding questions relating to accuracy nudges, including the need for more work relating to persistence and habituation, as well as a dearth of cross-cultural research. We also make several recommendations for policy makers and social media companies on how to implement accuracy nudges.