Rabbit holes of information on social media ‘make users less willing to get jab’

Scientists made the link after surveying 1,476 adults and five focus groups in December as the vaccine rollout got under way

They found that YouTube users were significantly less willing to be vaccinated, with a 45% probability of vaccine willingness.

People who use social media to obtain information are less willing to receive a coronavirus vaccine due to the “rabbit holes” of hesitancy they find themselves stuck in, according to a study.

Researchers from the universities of Oxford and Southampton said some users see content suggestions “aligned with their fears”, creating an “echo chamber” effect, naming video-sharing website YouTube as a particular concern.