Information Pandemic: A Critical Review of Disinformation Spread on Social Media and Its Implications for State Resilience

Abstract

This research examines the spread of disinformation on social media platforms and its impact on state resilience through a systematic literature review of 150 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024. The analysis revealed that disinformation spreads six times faster than accurate information, with emotions and platform algorithms playing a significant role in its spread. Factors such as low digital literacy, political polarization, and declining trust in institutions increase people’s vulnerability to disinformation. Impacts on national security include threats to the integrity of democratic processes, the erosion of social cohesion, and decreased public trust. The most effective coping strategies include improving digital literacy (78 percent effective), fact-checking (65 percent), and content regulation (59 percent). However, these efforts face ethical and legal challenges, especially regarding freedom of expression. This research highlights the need for a multidimensional approach in addressing the “information pandemic”, integrating technological, educational, and policy strategies while considering ethical implications. The findings provide a foundation for further policy development and research to protect the integrity of public information spaces and state resilience in the digital age.

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