Document details

COVID-19 Misinformation: Preparing for Future Crises. An Overview of the Early Behavioural Sciences Literature

Luxembourg: European Union (2022), 82 pp.

ISBN 978-92-76-54519-4 (pdf)

CC BY

"This report takes stock of the early behavioural sciences literature on COVID-19 misinformation. Specifically, it addresses the following three main questions: (1) Who was most likely to believe or share COVID-19 misinformation? (2) What were the consequences of being exposed to or believing COVID-19 misinformation? (3) Which behavioural policy interventions were effective in countering COVID-19 misinformation? In addition to addressing these core questions, the report also provides a snapshot of the narratives of COVID-19 misinformation and the prevalence and spread of this misinformation. The report provides insights into policies that can help foster societal resilience against misinformation beyond the specific case of COVID-19, thereby contributing to policy preparation for future crises." (Abstract, page 1)
1 Introduction, 7
2 Policy context in the European Union, 9
3 What is COVID-19 misinformation about? 11
4 How much COVID-19 misinformation is there? 13
5 To what extent do people believe COVID-19 misinformation? 18
6 How does COVID-19 misinformation spread? 21
7 Who is more or less likely to believe or share COVID-19 misinformation? 23
8 What are the consequences of being exposed to and believing COVID-19 misinformation? 38