Entry Date:
March 1, 2023

Misinformation and Fake News

Principal Investigator David Rand

Associated Departments, Labs & Centers

Project Website https://ide.mit.edu/research-group/misinformation-fake-news/

Project Start Date July 2022


Why do people share inaccurate content online? What can be done to reduce the spread of misinformation and fake news? Cognitive science research and digital field experiments are tools to advance the fight against online misinformation. We shed light on the basic science of how people decide what to believe and share, and leverage these insights to design anti-misinformation interventions. We then run experiments to test the impact of these interventions, and collaborate with technology companies like Google and Meta to translate our science into real-world impact. Through the Misinformation & Fake News Research Group, we drive accuracy in our digital lives.