Echo chambers and the age divide: How confirmation bias fuels misinformation among older generations

In the wake of recent elections, the role of misinformation in shaping public opinion, especially for older voting blocs, has become a growing concern.

One of the most striking trends observed, particularly during the 2016 US presidential election, was the disproportionate spread of fake news among older adults. The 2024 Romanian elections also made headlines, when a relatively unknown figure with deep ties to fascism won the first round, benefitting from an active online presence on the social media platform TikTok and support from elderly voters.

Conventional knowledge suggests that this is due to a lack of digital literacy among seniors. However, emerging research presents a more complex reality: older generations’ engagement with misinformation is not simply a matter of poor internet skills, but is largely driven by confirmation bias and deeply ingrained political identities.

Studies indicate that older adults are particularly susceptible to misinformation that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, a phenomenon that is rooted in confirmation bias

The notion that older adults are more susceptible to misinformation due to an inability to navigate digital spaces is a widely held belief. However, recent studies challenge this assumption. Research from Public Opinion Quarterly has found that older adults often perform comparably to younger individuals in controlled experiments designed to test their ability to distinguish between real and false news headlines. Moreover, digital literacy training has not been shown to significantly alter their engagement with misinformation.

What, then, accounts for the higher levels of fake news consumption among older adults? The answer lies in heightened partisan bias and strong political identities, which play a more crucial role in shaping news consumption habits than digital literacy alone. Studies indicate that older adults are particularly susceptible to misinformation that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, a phenomenon that is rooted in confirmation bias. Amid rising political polarisation in Trump-era US politics, the alignment of views has become increasingly clear. In the wake of recent elections, the so-called ‘MAGA Granny’ sent shockwaves through the political landscape. An elderly woman who participated in the January 6 riots, she later rejected Trump’s pardons after undergoing therapy. She detailed her journey from a disengaged, right-leaning Republican, who previously voted for Obama, to becoming a violent Trump supporter. Now, she speaks out against what she views as the dangerous, predatory, and cult-like qualities of the Trump campaign, warning of similar risks in far-right political movements around the world.

Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that reinforces pre-existing beliefs, is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, and a tool frequently weaponised by many kinds of politicians. Research suggests that as people age, their political identities become more entrenched, making them more likely to dismiss opposing viewpoints and engage with news that aligns with their ideological perspectives. This is particularly evident in the way older adults interact with hyper-partisan content.

As a result, misinformation is often shared not to support a particular policy or candidate but to attack the perceived political enemy

Hyper-partisan content is not necessarily false but is often misleading and heavily slanted toward a particular political ideology. A 2018 study found that older adults are more likely to visit dubious news websites and engage with hyper-partisan material. This inclination is fuelled by affective polarisation, where individuals feel a strong emotional attachment to their political in-group and hostility toward the opposing side. As a result, misinformation is often shared not to support a particular policy or candidate but to attack the perceived political enemy.

Social media platforms play a crucial role in reinforcing confirmation bias. Algorithms are designed to prioritize content that users are more likely to engage with, creating echo chambers where individuals are exposed primarily to perspectives that align with their own. This self-reinforcing cycle limits exposure to diverse viewpoints and makes it easier for misinformation to spread.

The rapid dissemination of misinformation is further exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. Fabricated content, from altered images to AI-generated political statements, complicates the ability to discern fact from fiction. While social media companies have taken steps to curb misinformation, the speed and reach of these platforms make it difficult to contain the spread of misleading narratives.

Additionally, research indicates that right-wing people in highly polarised media environments are more likely to engage with and share misinformation. In contrast, in less polarised settings, liberals and conservatives exhibit similar patterns of news consumption. This suggests that the broader media landscape, rather than inherent cognitive differences, plays a crucial role in shaping misinformation habits.

It is important to recognise that age itself is not the determining factor in susceptibility to misinformation. Rather, it is the political and social factors correlated with age that make older adults more vulnerable. Studies show that younger individuals, despite being frequent users of social media, are more adept at identifying fake news due to their familiarity with online disinformation tactics.

While in head-to-head tests digital literacy seems on par across generations, it seems that younger generators are more alert and suspicious of fake news as a baseline. Older adults, on the other hand, are more likely to trust information shared within their social networks, particularly from close friends and family members. This trust makes them more prone to believing and spreading misleading content.

This distrust in institutions and media empires is dangerous, and a tool weaponized by populists to drive a new breed of toxic, post-truth politics

The emotional appeal of partisan headlines also plays a significant role. Older adults may be more drawn to stories that evoke strong emotional reactions, leading them to prioritize sharing content that aligns with their beliefs rather than critically evaluating its accuracy.

Furthermore, research has identified a subset of users known as ‘supersharers’,who are disproportionately responsible for disseminating misinformation. These individuals are often older women who engage heavily in sharing political content on platforms like Facebook.

Addressing misinformation among older adults requires more than just improving digital literacy. While media literacy initiatives are beneficial, they must be complemented by efforts to reduce partisan animosity and encourage critical thinking. Interventions focused on fostering trust in legitimate news sources may be particularly effective in mitigating the spread of misinformation. This distrust in institutions and media empires is dangerous, and a tool weaponised by populists to drive a new breed of toxic, post-truth politics.

Implementing public policy changes that promote transparency in social media algorithms and hold platforms accountable for the spread of false information is essential. However, progress in this area stalled following Trump’s victory, largely due to his alliance with tech billionaires. Mark Zuckerberg has now aligned with Elon Musk on moderation strategies for Facebook, a platform already marred by a violent history of disinformation from the US to Myanmar. Additionally, increasing public awareness of how misinformation exploits confirmation bias can help individuals become more discerning consumers of news.

Future research should explore the interplay between age, political identity, and misinformation more comprehensively. Studies should distinguish between different types of low-quality news, such as outright falsehoods and hyperpartisan content, to better understand their effects. Additionally, researchers must consider the impact of different methods of measuring misinformation engagement, whether through belief in false narratives or actual sharing behaviour; this could advise essential regulation to protect users and democracies.

The spread of misinformation among older generations goes beyond digital illiteracy or the potential lack thereof. This spectre reflects deeper cognitive and social dynamics. The reinforcement of confirmation bias, strong partisan attachments, and the structure of digital media all contribute to this phenomenon across entire electorates. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that includes digital literacy education, efforts to reduce affective polarisation, and policy interventions to promote accurate information.

As society grapples with the consequences of misinformation, fostering a culture of critical thinking and media awareness is essential for ensuring a more informed and less divided public. Recognising and mitigating confirmation bias in all age groups, rather than singling out older adults, will be key to addressing the broader misinformation crisis.