Logical Fallacies in Social Media Misinformation

Social media has rapidly transformed the way people create, share, and consume information. It allows instant communication and participation from a wide audience, but it also makes it easier for false information and weak arguments to spread. This study explores how logical fallacies influence discussions on social media and contribute to misinformation. The authors focus on both deductive and informal reasoning, highlighting that informal fallacies are far more common online. Through qualitative analysis, they identify frequent fallacies such as ad hominem attacks, false dilemmas, straw man arguments, and emotional appeals. They explain how platform structures, algorithms, and the focus on engagement often encourage oversimplified and misleading narratives. The study also presents a conceptual model showing how different social media platforms promote different types of flawed reasoning. While emotions can play a role in persuasion, relying on them without logical evidence can weaken arguments and mislead audiences. Overall, the research emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and digital literacy. Teaching these skills is essential to promote evidence-based discussions and reduce the spread of misinformation in today’s digital world.