Unraveling the Use of Disinformation Hashtags by Social Bots During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Networks Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media platforms have been a venue for the exchange of messages, including those related to fake news. There are also accounts programmed to disseminate and amplify specific messages, which can affect individual decision-making and present new challenges for public health.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze how social bots use hashtags compared to human users on topics related to misinformation during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We selected posts on specific topics related to infodemics such as vaccines, hydroxychloroquine, military, conspiracy, laboratory, Bill Gates, 5G, and UV. We built a network based on the co-occurrence of hashtags and classified the posts based on their source. Using network a

SUBMITTER: Suarez-Lledo V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11757974 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature