Study: Shifting perceptions of misinformation in Canada: Trends in exposure, detection and trust, 2025
Released: 2026-05-13
In 2025, 80% of Canadians reported seeing news or information on the Internet that they suspected was misleading, false, or inaccurate at least once a month. These experiences are top of mind for Canadians, with the majority (61%) reporting being "very concerned" or "extremely concerned" about online misinformation in 2025.
A new Insights on Canadian Society study released today, entitled "Shifting perceptions of misinformation in Canada: Trends in exposure, detection and trust," examines the sources and platforms through which Canadians access news or information, how often they report encountering misleading information, and whether they find it increasingly difficult to distinguish between true and false information. The study also examines the relationship between misinformation, confidence in the Canadian media, and trust in others.
News organizations are the top source for news or information for Canadians, though habits vary by age
In 2025, Canadians most typically obtained news or information from news organizations (66%), close contacts (62%), social media platforms (54%) and television programming (52%). In contrast, some traditional information sources such as radio (38%) and print media (21%) were less frequently reported.
News organizations were the most common source among older Canadians. In 2025, more than three-quarters of those 75 years and older (78%) relied on news organizations, compared with close to half (49%) of Canadians aged 15 to 24. Among Canadians under 35, social media was the most common source for news or information, at 78%. Its use declined steadily with age, dropping to 19% among those 75 and older.
Nearly half of Canadians find it more difficult to distinguish between true and false news or information in 2025
When it comes to news or information, many Canadians are also finding it difficult to tell what is real from what is fabricated. In 2025, nearly half of Canadians (47%) reported that they were finding it harder to distinguish between true and false news or information compared to three years prior.
Despite reporting that they rely on different news sources, a similar proportion of Canadians of all ages reported difficulties in telling truth from falsehood.
Those with higher levels of confidence in the media are more likely to have confidence in their ability to distinguish between true and false news
As Canadians navigate an increasingly complex information environment, trust plays an important role in shaping how people experience misinformation.
In 2025, people who reported a strong confidence in the Canadian media were less likely to report that it has become harder to tell true from false news or information (44%) compared with those with lower confidence in the Canadian media (49%). In contrast, lower confidence in the Canadian media was associated with greater self-reported difficulty in identifying misleading content.
Note to readers
This release uses data from the 17th panel of the Canadian Social Survey: Quality of Life, Climate Change and Trust which was collected in the spring of 2025.
Misinformation is defined as "news or information that is verifiably false or inaccurate." The sharer of misinformation may or may not be aware that it is misinformation. When they are aware, it is often referred to as disinformation.
To assess ability to distinguish true from false information, the following question was asked: "Compared with three years ago, do you find it easier, harder or about the same to distinguish between true and false news or information?" where the answers were either "Easier", "About the same", or "Harder".
Confidence in the Canadian media was assessed using the following question: "Using a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 means "No confidence at all" and 5 means "A great deal of confidence", please answer the following questions. How much confidence do you have in the following institutions (the Canadian media)?". Those who expressed a high level of confidence are those who rated their confidence a 4 or 5.
Trust in others was assessed using the following question: "Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you cannot be too careful in dealing with people?" where the answers were either "Most people can be trusted" or "You cannot be too careful in dealing with people."
Products
The article titled "Shifting perceptions of misinformation in Canada: Trends in exposure, detection and trust" is now available in Insights on Canadian Society (75-006-X).
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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