
AbstractSocial 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 time patterns and the tendency to spread potentially disinformative content. Through quantitative analysis of Twitter (now X) data, we examine how user activity throughout the day aligns with diurnal behavioural archetypes. Evening types exhibit a significantly higher inclination towards spreading potentially disinformative content, which is more likely at night-time. 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.
Diurnal patterns, Time Factors, Misinformation spread, 070, Science, Communication, Q, Computational science, 150, R, Computational social science, Article, Social media, Circadian rythms and sleep, Habits, Human behaviour, Medicine, Humans, Diurnal pattern, Social Media
Diurnal patterns, Time Factors, Misinformation spread, 070, Science, Communication, Q, Computational science, 150, R, Computational social science, Article, Social media, Circadian rythms and sleep, Habits, Human behaviour, Medicine, Humans, Diurnal pattern, Social Media
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