NSF Convergence Accelerator Track F: A Disinformation Range to Improve User Awareness and Resilience to Online Disinformation

虚假信息的史无前例的传播--故意制造虚假信息以操纵公众舆论--是互联网普及和信息民主化承诺的另一面。媒体生态系统中虚假和/或误导性信息的存在侵蚀了人们对合法信息来源的信任，并对社会构成重大威胁。我们假设，提高用户意识和建立韧性是打击虚假信息的关键，因为接种疫苗的用户可以形成防止腐败和误导性信息传播的第一道防线。我们的虚假信息范围(Drange)项目的总体目标是开发一个研究/教育平台，包括集成的数字工具、先进的教学技术和及时的材料，以提高虚假信息意识和提高用户的应变能力，从而使他们免受有害虚假信息的影响，并进一步防止其传播。Drange将促进在三个主要类别中追求高影响力的目标：1)开发灵活的技术和响应文化的小组学习活动，以促进在安全和熟悉的环境中对虚假和误导性信息以及不真实的在线行为进行集体检查和讨论；2)进行跨学科研究，以促进我们对信息不实/错误信息的影响的了解；以及3)确定和实施预防性(免疫)战略和缓解做法。Drange被设想为一个全面的学习过程，将促进的讨论、协作游戏和小组活动交织在一起，并得到灵活和适应性强的技术平台的支持，该平台使用模拟(或去除)虚假信息来鼓励关于在线风险和漏洞的批判性对话，并培养用户的应变能力。Drange将与社区合作伙伴合作设计、开发和构建，以促进在不同环境(例如，教室、课后活动、公共图书馆、夏令营、老年人和社区中心等)中的群体互动。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The unprecedented spread of disinformation, false information intentionally created to manipulate public opinions, is the flip-side of the Internet’s promise of universal access and information democratization. The presence of false and/or misleading information in the media ecosystem erodes trust in legitimate sources of information and poses a significant threat to society. We posit that enhancing user awareness and building resilience are the keys to combating disinformation, as ‘inoculated’ users can form the first line of defense against the spread of corrupted and misleading information. The overarching goal of our Disinformation Range (DRange) project is the development of a research/educational platform with integrated digital tools, advanced pedagogical techniques, and timely materials to increase disinformation awareness and improve user resilience, so as to inoculate them against the impact of harmful disinformation, and further prevent its spread. DRange will facilitate the pursuit of high impact goals in three overarching categories: 1) developing flexible technologies and culturally responsive group learning activities to facilitate communal examination and discussion of false and misleading information and inauthentic online behaviors in safe and familiar settings; 2) conducting transdisciplinary research to advance our understanding of the impact of dis/misinformation; and 3) identifying and implementing preventive (‘immunization’) strategies and mitigation practices. DRange is envisioned as a comprehensive learning process that interweaves facilitated discussions, collaborative games, and group activities, supported by a flexible and adaptable technical platform that uses simulated (or de-toxed) disinformation to both encourage critical conversations about online risks and vulnerabilities, and cultivate user resilience. DRange will be designed, developed and structured in collaboration with community partners to foster group interactions in diverse settings (e.g., classrooms, after school activities, public libraries, summer camps, senior and community centers, etc.).This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.