A new study has found that many Australians believe social media influencers are a major source of misinformation. The research, conducted by the University of Canberra, shows that public trust in online influencers is low—especially when it comes to news, health, and political information.
The study is part of the Digital News Report 2025, which looks at how people across the world get their news. In Australia, the results show growing concern about the accuracy of content shared on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Influencers—who often have large audiences—are not always trained in journalism or fact-checking, yet they speak on serious topics.
More than half of Australians surveyed said they are worried about false or misleading information online. Influencers were seen as one of the top sources of this problem, along with political figures and poorly regulated online media outlets.
Experts warn that while influencers can have positive impact, especially in areas like fashion or lifestyle, they can also spread harmful content—sometimes without even knowing it. The report suggests more digital education is needed so that people can better spot misinformation and think critically about what they see online.
Governments and tech companies are also being urged to create stronger rules to limit the spread of fake news on social media.