Eine „winzige Minderheit“ von Social-Media-Konten treibt kanadische Verschwörungsinhalte voran

“A new study looking at how conspiracy claims spread on social media found that people who use X, formerly Twitter, are much more likely to both be aware of and believe conspiracy theories.

Demographically, people aged 35 to 54 were more likely to believe conspiracy claims than younger (18 to 34 years) and older (age 55 and up) age groups. Men also had a markedly higher belief in these claims than women.

But the study also found that while the majority of Canadians are aware of conspiracy narratives, a much lower percentage actually believe those claims.

The research group’s report on their study points out that conspiracy content becomes popular during times of crisis when people are feeling unsettled. “They help reduce anxiety and restore a sense of control amidst uncertainty by offering coherent explanations for complex events.”

Desblancs-Patel said the research team found that the majority of Canadians have encountered one or more of these conspiracy claims on social media, but a much smaller number of people actually believe the claims.”