Agent-based modelling approach for internet rumour propagation and its empirical study

Abstract

This paper analyses the current research status of internet rumour propagation at home and abroad. Based on the SIR epidemic model, considering the two methods of spreading rumours and dispelling rumours, the dynamics of the spread rate and the mechanism for individuals to forget information, an expanded SPNR rumour spreading model was proposed. Then, the agent method is used to simulate and analyse, which provides a basis for the designation of rumour control strategy. Finally, the SPNR model is empirically studied using two methods, dataset verification and case verification, to verify the applicability of model in the process of rumour propagation. The research results show that: 1) the final scale of the spread of rumours can be reduced through a continuous stream of hot event; 2) the influence of the rumours can be increased by enhancing the right of the rumours' discourse, increasing the number of rumours, etc., thereby effectively reducing the number of rumours and reducing the spread of rumours; 3) in this model, small-world networks and scale-free networks have no effect on the spread of rumours.