SEDIS—A Rumor Propagation Model for Social Networks by Incorporating the Human Nature of Selection

Abstract

The explosive evolution of the internet has paved the path for the rise of social networks, which can help people connect remotely. Currently, social networks are commonly used for sharing thoughts, feelings, information, and personal life, which vary from individual to individual. The world has witnessed a tremendous increase in social media usage in the last decade, and more people are expected to spend their time online after the COVID-19 pandemic. This increases the rapid propagation of rumors and fake news within societies and communities. On one end, social networks act as an excellent platform for digital marketing and sharing information. However, on the other end, social network rumors and fake news create a significant impact on society, including riots. To study and analyze social network rumors, several mathematical rumor propagation epidemic models have been proposed. The majority are related to disease-spreading epidemic models and reject the human aspect of social selection. This paper introduces a new mathematical rumor propagation model for social networks by incorporating the human psychological aspect of selection as a separate state. Our mathematical analysis and computational simulation proved that the model exists within the system. It was also proven that the system is always non-negative and there always exists a solution in the system. Our implementation of an intervention mechanism within the discrete compartmental model simulation proved the necessity of an effective interference that can help to prevent the implications of uncontrolled rumor dissemination within social networks.