A new browser extension from MIT experts teaches the user critical thinking.
MIT introduced the Trustnet browser extension, which allows users to identify misinformation on any website. The tool gives the user the ability to identify what is misinformation and interact with content ratings from trusted sources, which contributes to the development of critical thinking.
Many decisions are based on the fact that social networks should moderate content to prevent the spread of misinformation. However, this approach puts a critical social decision in the hands of commercial companies, limiting the ability of users to decide who to trust.
MIT scientists have proposed an alternative strategy by developing a browser extension that allows users to flag misinformation and determine which content evaluators they trust. Trustnet's decentralized approach allows users to decide what is misinformation instead of a central authority. The universal extension works with any content on any website, including posts in social networks, articles in news aggregators, and videos on streaming platforms.
Example of how Trustnet works. Misinformation and authentic content are marked with the appropriate mark
In an environment where a lot of fake information is created that looks reliable, the only way to protect yourself is to rely on data verified by reliable sources. The study participants noted that being able to rate content and see ratings from trusted people helps them be critical of information.
Users of the extension can click the content evaluation button, which opens a sidebar where you can mark content as "accurate", "inaccurate", or question it. You can also specify who you can trust to make assessments, and see these assessments when you visit websites.
Example of evaluating content from users
Experts conducted a two-week study in which 32 participants evaluated two types of content per day. The researchers were surprised that users rated content such as home improvement tips or celebrity news, as opposed to professionals who were more likely to choose news articles. Users also noted that ratings from non-professional fact checkers, such as doctors or immigrants, are important to them.
However, users may find themselves in an information bubble, trusting only those who share their views. Such a problem, according to the researchers, can be solved by a structured proposal from trusted evaluators, such as the FDA.
In the future, experts plan to continue studying structured trust relationships and expand the framework for combating misinformation. It is also planned to use the extension to filter content that does not meet certain ethical standards.
MIT introduced the Trustnet browser extension, which allows users to identify misinformation on any website. The tool gives the user the ability to identify what is misinformation and interact with content ratings from trusted sources, which contributes to the development of critical thinking.
Many decisions are based on the fact that social networks should moderate content to prevent the spread of misinformation. However, this approach puts a critical social decision in the hands of commercial companies, limiting the ability of users to decide who to trust.
MIT scientists have proposed an alternative strategy by developing a browser extension that allows users to flag misinformation and determine which content evaluators they trust. Trustnet's decentralized approach allows users to decide what is misinformation instead of a central authority. The universal extension works with any content on any website, including posts in social networks, articles in news aggregators, and videos on streaming platforms.
Example of how Trustnet works. Misinformation and authentic content are marked with the appropriate mark
In an environment where a lot of fake information is created that looks reliable, the only way to protect yourself is to rely on data verified by reliable sources. The study participants noted that being able to rate content and see ratings from trusted people helps them be critical of information.
Users of the extension can click the content evaluation button, which opens a sidebar where you can mark content as "accurate", "inaccurate", or question it. You can also specify who you can trust to make assessments, and see these assessments when you visit websites.
Example of evaluating content from users
Experts conducted a two-week study in which 32 participants evaluated two types of content per day. The researchers were surprised that users rated content such as home improvement tips or celebrity news, as opposed to professionals who were more likely to choose news articles. Users also noted that ratings from non-professional fact checkers, such as doctors or immigrants, are important to them.
However, users may find themselves in an information bubble, trusting only those who share their views. Such a problem, according to the researchers, can be solved by a structured proposal from trusted evaluators, such as the FDA.
In the future, experts plan to continue studying structured trust relationships and expand the framework for combating misinformation. It is also planned to use the extension to filter content that does not meet certain ethical standards.
