Regulating fabricated information on social media: A scoping review

Abstract

The dissemination of fabricated information is not a new phenomenon in human society. However, recent developments in social media have massively increased the creation and dissemination of this information. This study employed a scoping review method to ascertain fabricated information contexts, regulatory frameworks, and impediments in regulating the information. Google and Google Scholar search engines were used to identify documents published between 2006 and 2022 on fabricated information and regulatory frameworks. The data in these studies were subjected to thematic analysis. The study reveals that Facebook and Twitter produce a large quantity of fabricated information and that most of the information is created and disseminated from political and health contexts. Besides, the study shows that despite the available regulatory frameworks for curbing fabricated information, the problem persists. This has been attributed to diverse challenges associated with the regulation of information. A universal mechanism and regulatory framework should be enacted to regulate fabricated information effectively.