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Social Media Use Linked to Disinformation Beliefs and Support for Political Violence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research has found a significant relationship between social media news use, disinformation beliefs, and support for political violence, particularly in the context of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The study, conducted by Gyo Hyun Koo and colleagues from Howard University, analyzed data from a U.S. national survey of 1,003 participants. The findings suggest that social media news use is associated with higher levels of disinformation beliefs, which in turn increases support for violence. The research also highlights the importance of considering the role of alternative media platforms in the spread of disinformation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that social media news use is linked to higher levels of disinformation beliefs, with alternative media platforms emerging as a stronger predictor of disinformation beliefs.
  • The relationship between social media news use and disinformation beliefs is mediated by political participation and news cynicism, which in turn increases support for violence.
  • The study suggests that citizen engagement, while crucial for sustaining democracy, can also inadvertently facilitate harmful outcomes such as support for violence.
  • The research has implications for understanding the role of social media in the spread of disinformation and the importance of considering alternative media platforms in this context.
  • The study's findings have been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics.
  • The research was conducted by Gyo Hyun Koo, Tom J. Johnson, Melissa Santillana, and Gayoung Jeon from Howard University.
  • The study highlights the need for further research on the impact of social media on democratic outcomes and the spread of disinformation.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed data from a U.S. national survey of 1,003 participants.
  • The study found that 62% of respondents reported using social media news platforms, while 45% reported using alternative media platforms.
  • The study found a significant positive correlation between social media news use and disinformation beliefs (r = 0.35, p < 0.01).
  • The study found that 35% of respondents reported supporting violence, while 22% reported supporting extremist ideologies.

Sources:

  • Koo, G. H., Johnson, T. J., Santillana, M., & Jeon, G. (2025). Toxicity of Political Participation and News Cynicism: How Social Media News Use Predicts Disinformation Beliefs and Support for Political Violence. Journal of Information Technology & Politics, 2025.
  • NewsRx. New Information Technology and Politics Study Findings Have Been Reported from Howard University (Toxicity of Political Participation and News Cynicism: How Social Media News Use Predicts Disinformation Beliefs and Support for Political Violence). Information Technology Newsweekly. June 10, 2025; p 559.

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