Lost in the Information Maze: Understanding the Multiple Drivers of QAnon Online Conspiracy Theories

Abstract

Background: The conspiracy community known as QAnon rose to prominence in the mainstream media over the last several years. To curb its spread, social media platforms have blocked QAnon-related activity. Analysis: A review of the scholarly literature related to QAnon and conspiracy theories in general shows how conspiratorial ideation can best be understood as a response to an uncertain social, political, and digital environment. Conclusions and Implications: We argue in favour of an ecological approach, highlighting the forces that make people vulnerable to QAnon-related conspiracies and other types of misinformation. This article demonstrates how interventions need to be made at policy, cultural, educational, and community levels in addition to platform-based interventions.