Publication: Bridging disinformation and cybersecurity in the social sciences: a scoping review
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Date
2026
Authors
Teresa García-Alcaraz ; Aguado, Juan Miguel ; Ruipérez Valiente, José Antonio
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Publisher
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2026.2659285
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
The spread of mis/disinformation, amplified and accelerated by the influence of digital technologies, along with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, poses a growing threat that impacts both cybersecurity and wider societal stability, thereby prompting the need for broad and genuinely interdisciplinary analysis. This Scoping Review (ScR) aims to systematically map the body of literature published up to the year 2024, with a specific focus on social science research that examines mis/disinformation at its intersection with cybersecurity. Applying the PRISMA ScR methodology, a total of 64 academic papers were reviewed in order to address four central questions: (1) how core terms such as misinformation and disinformation have been defined across the literature, (2) which are the main academic topics on mis/disinformation related to cybersecurity and how these topics are interconnected in the academic discussion, (3) what theoretical frameworks or social models have been applied to address mis/disinformation in this particular context, and (4) how the relationship between mis/disinformation and cybersecurity has been established, conceptualized, and evolved over time. The findings indicate that, despite the growing frequency of these terms, few studies offer explicit definitions. Mis/disinformation is increasingly understood as a cybersecurity challenge linked to hybrid warfare and cognitive threats. Literature underlines both geopolitical and psychological dimensions, with mitigation approaches largely centred on media literacy and AI. Over time, the focus has shifted from purely technical responses toward broader ethical, legal, and societal considerations, highlighting the phenomenon’s evolving complexity. Persistent research gaps remain, guiding future directions for study.
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Citation
García-Alcaraz, T., Ruiperez-Valiente, J. A., & Aguado, J. M. (2026). Bridging disinformation and cybersecurity in the social sciences: a scoping review. Information, Communication & Society, 1–24.
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