What is the overlap between inauthentic content and mis/disinformation and, what role is inauthentic content playing in wider mis/disinformation narratives?
Background
Although there is already material evidence on the types of serious harms individuals encounter online, there still remain a number of emerging harms, where the evidence base is still yet to mature (e.g. epilepsy trolling, online animal abuse). SOH would like to close this significant gap in understanding the impact of encountering different types of serious harms online and understanding the best approaches to measuring the impact of the Online Safety legislation.
SOH highlights the importance of Media Literacy in the digital age and asks for further studies to uncover barriers to engagement as well as the effectiveness of DSIT programmes. This issue closely relates to Counter-Disinformation interventions, which requires evidence for its effect on bystanders, topic specific disinformation and what tools can be used to combat this issue.
Research on Safety Technology would greatly develop SOH’s understanding of the relationship that DSIT online safety objectives have with the technology market today. A primary focus lands on improving Age Assurance (AA) measures. This includes ensuring transparency and assessing opportunities for the sector.
Next steps
If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Digital Technology and Telecoms Group and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs.
Please view full details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024
Source
This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:
Related UKRI funded projects
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Digital Knowledge: A New Framework for Digital Epistemic Virtues
We are increasingly in the grips of an information epidemic, which the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic - and the spread of health misinformation online along with rising distrust of experts - has only served to highlight with ...
Funded by: AHRC
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on combating misinformation but does not specifically address inauthentic content.
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An innovative, AI-driven application that helps users assess/action information pollution for social media content.
Sway is a UK-based social media safety technology SME with a core project team of Mike Bennett (CEO and serial entrepreneur), Daniela Fernandez (CXO and entrepreneur) and Alan Simpson (CTO and digital transformation stra...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Why might this be relevant?
The project addresses the overlap between inauthentic content and mis/disinformation, providing a solution to evaluate and act on information pollution in social media.
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Rethinking Media Literacy and Digital Skills in Europe (REMEDIS)
Over the past decade, we have witnessed major transformations in access to digital media platforms in Europe. However, navigating this digitally mediated world can be challenging as it requires operational, social, conte...
Funded by: AHRC
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it addresses media literacy and digital skills, which are related to combating misinformation.