Do you enjoy your conspiracy theory? #MediaLiteracy #ConspiracyTheory #ConspiracyTheoryTikTok
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Conspiracy theories may spread not because people believe them, but because they're genuinely entertaining — and that distinction could change how we fight misinformation.
Uses and Gratifications TheoryMotivated ReasoningInformation Deficit ModelMoral Panic
Theory Briefing
- Conspiracy theory content tagged with Russia and Farage signals how political narratives are packaged as addictive entertainment on TikTok.
- Media literacy research suggests people share conspiracy theories for the thrill, not just genuine belief — enjoyment drives engagement.
- When misinformation becomes fun to consume, traditional fact-checking fails because it targets belief rather than the emotional reward loop.