Spreaders vs victims: The nuanced relationship between age and misinformation via FoMO and digital literacy in different cultures

Abstract

Utilizing online surveys of 729 US and 469 Chinese respondents, this study examines the mediated relationships between age and misinformation via fear of missing out (FoMO) and digital literacy in two different cultures. Results suggest that senior citizens are uniquely vulnerable to misinformation as the victims, in that they are less likely to check on suspicious content and that they are also less motivated to share information online in general. In contrast, youngadults have a greater propensity to be the spreaders of misinformation if not made suspicious of the content due to their stronger motivations to share information online. FoMO and digital literacy significantly mediate the relationship between age and motivations to share information and the one between age and reactions to misinformation, respectively. Sociocultural differences vary the intensity of these mediated relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.