分析数千万条辟谣帖，发现平台设计影响网络极化与语言暴力。
Polarized Patterns of Language Toxicity and Sentiment of Debunking Posts on Social Media
- 通过分析8600万条推特和400万条Reddit评论，研究辟谣讨论中的语言毒性。
- 外围用户贡献更多毒言，且平台机制显著影响极化程度，推特更分立，Reddit更毒。
- 互动越多越少毒，尤其在Reddit上悲观情绪与毒言呈负相关，适合平台设计参考。
在线政治言论中虚假信息泛滥对民主进程和公众参与构成重大挑战。尽管辟谣努力旨在遏制虚假信息并促进基于事实的对话，但此类讨论常伴随语言暴力和情绪极化。我们分析了超过8600万条关于2016年和2020年美国总统选举及QAnon阴谋论的辟谣推文，以及超过400万条Reddit辟谣评论，揭示三个关键发现：(1) 外围参与者（1度用户）在塑造有毒话语中起不成比例的作用，其较低的社区责任感和更强的情绪表达是主因；(2) 平台机制显著影响极化，推特放大党派分歧，而Reddit由于结构化、社区驱动的互动导致整体毒性更高；(3) 语言毒性与悲观情绪呈负相关，互动增加可降低毒性，尤其在Reddit上表现明显。研究显示，平台架构影响用户互动的信息复杂性，推特促进集中统一的论述，而Reddit鼓励多元复杂的交流。研究强调用户参与模式、平台动态与情绪表达在辟谣话语极化中的作用，为政策制定者和平台设计者提供减少负面影响、促进健康线上讨论的洞见，对理解数字环境中的虚假信息、仇恨言论与政治极化具有重要启示。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
The rise of misinformation and fake news in online political discourse poses significant challenges to democratic processes and public engagement. While debunking efforts aim to counteract misinformation and foster fact-based dialogue, these discussions often involve language toxicity and emotional polarization. We examined over 86 million debunking tweets and more than 4 million Reddit debunking comments to investigate the relationship between language toxicity, pessimism, and social polarization in debunking efforts. Focusing on discussions of the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections and the QAnon conspiracy theory, our analysis reveals three key findings: (1) peripheral participants (1-degree users) play a disproportionate role in shaping toxic discourse, driven by lower community accountability and emotional expression; (2) platform mechanisms significantly influence polarization, with Twitter amplifying partisan differences and Reddit fostering higher overall toxicity due to its structured, community-driven interactions; and (3) a negative correlation exists between language toxicity and pessimism, with increased interaction reducing toxicity, especially on Reddit. We show that platform architecture affects informational complexity of user interactions, with Twitter promoting concentrated, uniform discourse and Reddit encouraging diverse, complex communication. Our findings highlight the importance of user engagement patterns, platform dynamics, and emotional expressions in shaping polarization in debunking discourse. This study offers insights for policymakers and platform designers to mitigate harmful effects and promote healthier online discussions, with implications for understanding misinformation, hate speech, and political polarization in digital environments.
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