Disinformation Strategies on TikTok & Spotify
As part of my undergraduate research at the University of Arizona, I conducted a study examining how content creators employ disinformation strategies on social media platforms, specifically TikTok and Spotify.
The project investigated not only verbal and logical manipulation but also the aesthetic and emotional dimensions—including music, tone, and visuals—that influence how misinformation spreads.
Research Scope
Designed and executed a full research project under faculty mentorship.
Analyzed case examples across health misinformation, climate change denial, conspiracy theories, and digital fear tactics.
Incorporated methods from media studies, communication theory, and psychology to understand both content and audience impact.
Case Studies
The “Great Reset” & Climate Denial: showed how ominous music and fear-driven narratives shape public anxiety.
False Health Cures: examined TikTok claims about natural cancer remedies undermining medical expertise.
Vaccine & Donation Misinformation: studied videos misrepresenting Red Cross plasma donation policies.
Tap Water Polio Claim: revealed how local fears can be manipulated through fabricated outbreaks.
Podcast Conspiracy Narratives: explored how long-form audio amplifies alternative disease theories (e.g., 5G as a health threat).
Interventions & Analytical Framework
Developed a comparative framework of strategies to counter digital disinformation:
Fact-Checking vs. Verification: differentiated approaches to ensure accuracy and context.
Bot Detection: studied automation in spreading false narratives.
Content Moderation: analyzed strengths and risks of platform-level controls.
Inoculation Theory: explored how pre-exposure to weakened misinformation builds resistance.
Information Literacy: emphasized critical thinking and lateral reading as long-term solutions.
