One way we share our research is in peer-reviewed academic journals. Here are some of our recent studies on misinformation and social media. If you can’t access a study because it’s behind a paywall, just send us a message—we’d be happy to share a copy with you!
- Anti-masking posts on Instagram: Content analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic (2025): Misinformation about masks on Instagram was largely tied to distrust in government and media, with anti-masking posts often framing the issue around “freedom” and skepticism of data. This content may encourage broader conspiracy beliefs and reduce trust in public health measures, highlighting the need to counter misinformation effectively.
- Canadians’ knowledge of cancer risk factors and beliefs in cancer myths (2024): Canadians were better at recognizing real cancer risks than spotting myths, but many still believed false claims — especially about food additives, stress, and sweeteners. People who thought more analytically were better at telling facts from myths, and awareness varied by age, income, and where they lived.
- A qualitative review of social media sharing and the 2022 monkeypox outbreak: Did early labelling help to curb misinformation or fuel the fire? (2024): Unlike many public health topics, most Instagram posts under #monkeypox in 2022 contained accurate information, with a significant portion actively debunking misinformation. This suggests that early stigmatization of mpox may have led online communities to push back and fact-check misleading claims.
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D Misinformation on YouTube: Content Analysis (2022): Many YouTube videos in 2020 spread misleading claims about vitamin D’s role in preventing or curing COVID-19, often shared by medical professionals. This misinformation, which confused correlation with causation, risked fuelling public confusion and encouraging unsafe health behaviors, like excessive supplementation or UV exposure.
- The Instagram Infodemic Persists: Extreme Content Escapes Platforms Removal Tactics (2022): Instagram’s efforts to flag or remove COVID-19 misinformation appear inconsistent, as a re-examination of 300 posts found that most remained online, with only one flagged for false information. The continued presence of conspiracy-laden content raises concerns about public safety and the potential for further spread of misinformation.
- The Instagram Infodemic: Cobranding of Conspiracy Theories, Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Authority-Questioning Beliefs (2021): During the early COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation spread rapidly on social media, often mixed with broader conspiracy theories and distrust of authorities. By analyzing 300 Instagram posts from hashtags like #hoax and #plandemic, we found that general mistrust and conspiracy theories were the most common themes, highlighting the challenge of combating health misinformation.
- Sunscreen Posts on Twitter in the United States and Canada, 2019: Content Analysis (2021): Misinformation about sunscreen on Twitter was limited, but inaccurate posts received more engagement than factual ones. Health organizations may improve their messaging by making content more engaging and relatable, potentially increasing public awareness of sun protection and cancer prevention.