Oncology · Public Health · 2 h ago
Social Media Prompts Increased Flagging of Cancer Misinformation in Trial
In a randomized trial involving 294 US adults with cancer or who were cancer caregivers, prompts on simulated social media posts increased flagging of inaccurate cancer-treatment claims. Participants exposed to prompts also liked fewer misinformation posts, although the study tested behavior on a simulated platform and does not establish effects on real-world exposure or health outcomes.
- Prompts increased flagging of inaccurate cancer-treatment posts.
- Flagging reached 38% with social cues versus 12% without prompts.
- Participants liked fewer posts when prompts were shown.
- Effects on real-world exposure and clinical outcomes are unknown.
Researchers randomized 294 US adults aged 18 to 65 years who had cancer or were caregivers for someone with cancer to view cancer misinformation posts on a simulated social media platform. Participants saw social cue–enhanced prompts, standard prompts, or no prompts. The primary outcome was whether they flagged a post; researchers also assessed other recorded and self-reported online behaviors and actions on existing social media platforms.
Inaccurate posts were flagged more often with social cue prompts (224 of 592 posts; 38%) and standard prompts (180 of 689; 26%) than with no prompts (84 of 675; 12%). Compared with control, the flagging rate was higher with social cue prompts (rate ratio, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.79-5.42) and standard prompts (2.15; 95% CI, 1.20-3.88). Liking was less common with either prompt type: 3% of posts with social cue prompts and 1% with standard prompts, versus 10% without prompts. Standard prompts also increased flagging on participants’ existing social media.
The findings suggest interface prompts can influence responses to cancer misinformation in a simulated setting. Whether they reduce real-world sharing or exposure remains uncertain; the study did not measure clinical outcomes.
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JAMA Network Open: User Interface Designs to Address Cancer Misinformation ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.