While people may not necessarily be happy about the spread of fake news within their online communities, they may be less likely to react negatively due to social norms. For instance, because of the reciprocity norm, members may be aware of the importance of reciprocating when people send them news, even if they are fake.

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- Decrease of social cohesion
- Lower criticism due to social norms
- Spread of fake news

Effects of Sharing of Fake News on Social Cohesion

Duffy, A., Tandoc, E., & Ling, R. (2020). Too good to be true, too good not to share: the social utility of fake news. Information, Communication & Society, 23(13), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2019.1623904

Too good to be true, too good not to share: The social utility of fake news

Due to social cohesion, people may be more willing to share news articles, including fake ones, which could lead to an increased spread of misinformation.

Sharing of Fake News and Their Increased Spread

When people understand that there is an influx of fake news within their online communities, the social cohesion of the group may be harmed. This can lead people to share fewer articles to avoid the dissemination of false information.

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