The connection between the spread of misinformation, time of day, and individual user activity patterns

Abstract

Social media manipulation poses a significant threat to cognitive autonomy and unbiased opinion formation. Prior literature explored the relationship between online activity and emotional state, cognitive resources, sunlight and weather. However, a limited understanding exists regarding the role of time of day in content spread and the impact of user activity patterns on susceptibility to mis- and disinformation. This work uncovers a strong correlation between user activity patterns and the tendency to spread manipulated content. Through quantitative analysis of Twitter data, we examine how user activity throughout the day aligns with chronotypical archetypes. Evening types exhibit a significantly higher inclination towards spreading potentially manipulated content, which is generally more likely between 2:30 AM and 4:15 AM. This knowledge can become crucial for developing targeted interventions and strategies that mitigate misinformation spread by addressing vulnerable periods and user groups more susceptible to manipulation.