Rumor Propagation in Online Social Networks Like Twitter -- A Simulation Study

Rumor has drawn much of the attention of researchers, considering its importance and influence, as well as its complexity. Under different circumstances, the process and results of rumor spreading are also different. The method of agent-based modeling is considered a good way to look into the process of rumor propagation. In this study, we put the theme under the circumstances of online social networks like twitter, which is different from traditional social network websites. Assuming that the structure of these websites is a kind of scale free network, we build a specific agent-based model using Net Logo based on the propagation model of SIR. Taking consideration of the unique property of twitter-like websites in information flow, max spread time and the mechanism of people believing the rumor, we draw the conclusion that compared to the traditional online social networks, the rumor propagation in twitter-like websites is of more efficiency, unpredictability, and a tendency to start the rumor again.