The Spreading of Misinformation online: 3D Simulation

Social media is becoming the de-facto platform for the dissemination of information as research suggests more Internet users are using social media as their main source of news. In this model, the spread of unverified information is becoming a common place where some could share misinformation as fact. News sharing on social media lacks the traditional verification methods used by professional media. In previous publications, the authors presented a model that shows the extent of the problem thus suggesting the design of a tool that could assist users to authenticate information using a conceptual approached called `right-click authenticate' button. A two-dimensional simulation provided bases for a proof-of-concept and identification of key variables. This paper uses Biolayout three-dimensional modelling to expand their simulations of different scenarios. Using the given variables and values, this paper presents a better understanding of how misinformation travels in the spatial space of social media. The findings further confirmed that the approach of `right-click authenticate' button would dramatically cut back the spread of misinformation online.