Negative Influence of Incorrect Information on Facebook User Behaviour: Kazakhstan Case

Resumo

The research relevance is determined by the growing influence of social networks, in particular Facebook, on the behaviour of Internet users. The study of the impact of incorrect information disseminated through social networks is necessary and important for several reasons related to the protection of public safety, active manipulation of public opinion and disinformation of society, undermining trust in the mass media and official sources of information, and cybersecurity violations. The study aims to analyse the impact of inaccurate, manipulative, and distorted information uncontrollably disseminated through the social network Facebook on the behavioural patterns of its consumers and the impact of the results of these patterns on the social well-being, and economic and political stability of Kazakhstan. The study used the content analysis method to determine which type of incorrect information is encountered on Facebook in the media space of Kazakhstan and which of them receives the greatest response among users. The study concluded that Facebook posts elicit an active response from readers, which causes further misinformation dissemination, even though such information is regarded as highly credible in the absence of references to the source or evidence, causing negative user behaviour, such as disregard for security rules (physical, mental, epidemiological, cyber, financial); instigation of racial, religious and gender hatred; political inertness; use of social media for manipulation, fraud, defamation of public figures, financial fraud and propaganda. The study also determined publications on conspiracy theories posts (primarily related to the geopolitical situation, as well as the Coronavirus epidemic) and the domestic political situation in the country (primarily related to corruption scandals and specific political figures) receive the greatest response. The results of the study can be used to improve the level of cyber security and information literacy of the population of Kazakhstan.