A survey carried out by the International University of Japan and the Japan Fact-check Center, with the support of Google, revealed that half of respondents who had access to fake information believed it to be true, bringing the precariousness of society using the internet into sharp relief.
The survey, conducted in February targeting 20,000 people aged between 15 and 69 in Japan, presented respondents with 15 pieces of misinformation on issues such as medical care and health, politics and war circulating on the internet. Of the respondents who said they have “seen or heard of” such information, about half said they believed it. A little under 20% of them shared the info with others via social media or through in-person conversations.
What is interesting is that there were differences between generations in how they responded to such information.
When asked whether they verified information they have received, such as by checking the senders, 48.8% of those aged 15 to 19 said they do, while the percentage was smaller among older generations, standing at a mere 37.6% among those in their 60s.
This can be attributed to the possible effects of information literacy education at schools.
More than 50% of those aged between 15 to 19 and those in their 20s, respectively, said they have learned about problems with information in cyberspace.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ White Paper on Information and Communications in Japan, the proportion of people aware of risks in online information reporting was significantly lower in Japan than in other countries.
Parties such as local governments, civil groups and concerned industries are urged to come together to enhance awareness-raising activities targeting people including the middle-aged and elderly populations.
Harmful effects of bogus information are serious.
Tricky fake videos are prevalent online in tandem with the popular use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). During the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of the Jan. 1 earthquake in central Japan’s Noto Peninsula, false rumors inciting discrimination and prejudice went viral online. Investment scams using fake celebrity endorsements are also rife on social media.
Fact-checking to verify the authenticity of information plays a significant role. In the survey, people who believed in fake information were asked to read fact-checking articles in the media and other sources, and half of them changed their minds.
It is also essential to expand efforts by nonprofit organizations and media outlets.
Furthermore, it is imperative for the operators of internet businesses referred to as “platformers” to adopt technical countermeasures. Possible steps include AI-assisted identification of misinformation, displaying warnings, and introducing a system to give priority to reliable sources in displaying information on social media.
False information misleads people and undermines democracy. It is crucial to share a sense of danger throughout all of society.
