Unpacking the Relationship Between Algorithmic Literacy and Misinformation: A Multidimensional Approach Using Two Sequential Studies

IF 5.8 1区文学 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Social Media + Society Pub Date : 2026-08-05 DOI:10.1177/20563051261470740

Teresa Correa, Sebastián Valenzuela, Ingrid Bachmann, Nicolás Tobar Jorquera, Natalia Solís-Valdés, Isabel Pavez

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Digital literacy is often proposed as a remedy for misinformation, yet empirical evidence regarding its effectiveness remains mixed. One reason for these inconsistencies lies in the multidimensional nature of both literacy and misinformation. This article focuses on algorithmic literacy, a distinct and increasingly central form of digital literacy in platform-mediated communication, and examines how its cognitive and behavioral dimensions relate to multiple facets of misinformation engagement. Drawing on two probabilistic survey studies conducted in Chile—a nationally representative face-to-face survey ( N = 1,200) and a random-digit-dial telephone survey of urban adults ( N = 2,265)—we analyze how cognitive (algorithmic awareness and knowledge) and behavioral (strategic actions to navigate algorithmic systems) dimensions of algorithmic literacy relate to perceived misinformation exposure, misinformation sharing, objective and subjective news knowledge, and knowledge miscalibration. Across both studies, a consistent pattern emerges: algorithmic literacy is more strongly associated with cognitive outcomes—especially perceived misinformation exposure and knowledge—than with behavioral outcomes like sharing. Higher algorithmic awareness consistently predicts greater perceived exposure, suggesting heightened recognition, while its link to sharing behavior is less consistent. These studies highlight the relevance of distinguishing cognitive from behavioral dimensions of literacy across different stages of misinformation engagement.

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解开算法读写能力和错误信息之间的关系：使用两个连续研究的多维方法

数字素养通常被认为是纠正错误信息的一种方法，但关于其有效性的经验证据仍然好坏参半。造成这些不一致的一个原因在于读写能力和错误信息的多维性。本文重点关注算法素养，这是平台媒介传播中一种独特且日益重要的数字素养形式，并研究其认知和行为维度如何与错误信息参与的多个方面相关。根据在智利进行的两项概率调查研究——一项具有全国代表性的面对面调查（N = 1200）和一项针对城市成年人的随机数字拨号电话调查（N = 2265）——我们分析了算法素养的认知（算法意识和知识）和行为（导航算法系统的战略行动）维度与感知到的错误信息暴露、错误信息分享、客观和主观新闻知识以及知识校准错误之间的关系。在这两项研究中，出现了一个一致的模式：与分享等行为结果相比，算法读写能力与认知结果（尤其是感知到的错误信息暴露和知识）的关系更为密切。更高的算法意识始终预示着更大的感知曝光，表明更高的识别，而它与分享行为的联系则不那么一致。这些研究强调了在错误信息参与的不同阶段区分识字的认知维度和行为维度的相关性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Social Media + Society COMMUNICATION-

CiteScore

9.20

自引率

3.80%

发文量

111

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Social Media + Society is an open access, peer-reviewed scholarly journal that focuses on the socio-cultural, political, psychological, historical, economic, legal and policy dimensions of social media in societies past, contemporary and future. We publish interdisciplinary work that draws from the social sciences, humanities and computational social sciences, reaches out to the arts and natural sciences, and we endorse mixed methods and methodologies. The journal is open to a diversity of theoretic paradigms and methodologies. The editorial vision of Social Media + Society draws inspiration from research on social media to outline a field of study poised to reflexively grow as social technologies evolve. We foster the open access of sharing of research on the social properties of media, as they manifest themselves through the uses people make of networked platforms past and present, digital and non. The journal presents a collaborative, open, and shared space, dedicated exclusively to the study of social media and their implications for societies. It facilitates state-of-the-art research on cutting-edge trends and allows scholars to focus and track trends specific to this field of study.