Misinformation and conspiracy theories are causing U.S. couples to break up
Online misinformation and conspiracy theories led to divorces and breakups for some U.S. couples.
Why it matters
- Misinformation and conspiracy theories can strain relationships to the breaking point.
- Shows how online content can impact real-life relationships.
By the numbers
- 28 people interviewed who ended relationships due to political misinformation.
- Relationships ranged from a few months to 23 years.
- Political ideologies included Libertarian, Conservative, Democrat, Republican, and Progressive.
The big picture
- Online misinformation and conspiracy theories can create alternate realities that strain relationships.
- Algorithms on social media platforms may reinforce these behaviors.
- Shared reality is crucial for relationship success and happiness.
What they're saying
- Some commenters note the role of community and unhealthy online engagement.
- Others point to the broader societal impact of misinformation.
- One commenter provides a link to the peer-reviewed journal article.
Caveats
- Study based on in-depth interviews with 28 people, which is a small sample size.
- Findings are based on self-reports, which can be subjective.
- The study focuses on U.S. couples, so may not generalize to other cultures.
What’s next
- Need for further research on how misinformation impacts relationships.
- Potential for interventions to mitigate the effects of misinformation on relationships.