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Misinformation debunking and cross-platform information sharing through Twitter during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma: a case study on shelters and ID checks

Author

Listed:
  • Kyle Hunt

    (University at Buffalo)

  • Bairong Wang

    (University at Buffalo)

  • Jun Zhuang

    (University at Buffalo)

Abstract

As the internet and social media continue to become increasingly used for sharing breaking news and important updates, it is with great motivation to study the behaviors of online users during crisis events. One of the biggest issues with obtaining information online is the veracity of such content. Given this vulnerability, misinformation becomes a very dangerous and real threat when spread online. This study investigates misinformation debunking efforts and fills the research gap on cross-platform information sharing when misinformation is spread during disasters. The false rumor “immigration status is checked at shelters” spread in both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in 2017 and was analyzed in this paper based on a collection of 12,900 tweets. By studying the rumor control efforts made by thousands of accounts, we found that Twitter users respond and interact the most with tweets from verified Twitter accounts, and especially government organizations. Results on sourcing analysis show that the majority of Twitter users who utilize URLs in their postings are employing the information in the URLs to help debunk the false rumor. The most frequently cited information comes from news agencies when analyzing both URLs and domains. This paper provides novel insights into rumor control efforts made through social media during natural disasters and also the information sourcing and sharing behaviors that users exhibit during the debunking of false rumors.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle Hunt & Bairong Wang & Jun Zhuang, 2020. "Misinformation debunking and cross-platform information sharing through Twitter during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma: a case study on shelters and ID checks," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(1), pages 861-883, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:103:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-020-04016-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04016-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bairong Wang & Jun Zhuang, 2018. "Rumor response, debunking response, and decision makings of misinformed Twitter users during disasters," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 93(3), pages 1145-1162, September.
    2. Bairong Wang & Jun Zhuang, 2017. "Crisis information distribution on Twitter: a content analysis of tweets during Hurricane Sandy," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 89(1), pages 161-181, October.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Meiling & Gao, Qingwu & Zhuang, Jun, 2021. "Reciprocal spreading and debunking processes of online misinformation: A new rumor spreading–debunking model with a case study," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 565(C).
    2. Rosa Vicari & Nadejda Komendatova, 2023. "Systematic meta-analysis of research on AI tools to deal with misinformation on social media during natural and anthropogenic hazards and disasters," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Agarwal, Puneet & Aziz, Ridwan Al & Zhuang, Jun, 2022. "Interplay of rumor propagation and clarification on social media during crisis events - A game-theoretic approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 298(2), pages 714-733.
    4. So-Min Cheong & Matthew Babcock, 2021. "Attention to misleading and contentious tweets in the case of Hurricane Harvey," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(3), pages 2883-2906, February.
    5. Chang Luo & Juan Liu & Tianjiao Yang & Jinghong Xu, 2023. "Combating Disinformation or Reinforcing Cognitive Bias: Effect of Weibo Poster’s Location Disclosure," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(2), pages 88-100.
    6. Hunt, Kyle & Narayanan, Adithya & Zhuang, Jun, 2022. "Blockchain in humanitarian operations management: A review of research and practice," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    7. Mingyun Gu & Haixiang Guo & Jun Zhuang & Yufei Du & Lijin Qian, 2022. "Social Media User Behavior and Emotions during Crisis Events," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-21, April.

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