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The Prosocial Design Library

Validated

We reserve Validated Grades for interventions that are both peer-reviewed and replicated. This is our highest evidentiary grade.

A mockup of a phone screen with this intervention, explaining that "You may encounter unverified claims on this topic." The icon is of an ear on a shield, representing the idea of 'protecting your ears from rumors.'

Messages prebunking misinformation on controversial topics

Innoculates users against misinformation

Validated

Convincing

Convincing Grades are for interventions with peer-reviewed evidence. They have yet to face attempted replication. This is our penultimate grade.

A mockup of a prompt asking users to rate the accuracy of a headline on a scale of 1-to-5.

Headline Rating Interstitial

Reduce sharing of misinformation

Convincing
A mockup of an over-the-top news headline that reads "ALIENS!". In front of it is a reminder: "If shocking claims in a headline sound unbelievable, then they probably are."

List tips for checking accuracy of shared headlines

Reduces spread of mis- and disinformation

Convincing
A prompt telling users that trolls may be there, but they are uncommon.

Message that trolls are present but outnumbered

Make new users more comfortable in community and more resilient to trolling

Convincing

Likely

Likely Grades are for interventions with preprinted evidence. Preprints are academic manuscripts awaiting formal peer review.

A mockup of a react button. The platform's 'Thanks' icon is emphasized.

'Thank You' Button

Increases retention & contagious prosocial behaviors

Likely

Tentative

Tentative Grades occur when randomized controls or independence from vested interests are absent. It also happens to Convincing interventions if they fail to replicate.

A mockup of a prompt that reminds users that "Headlines Don't Tell The Full Story".

Disallow Sharing of Unclicked Links

Cuts down on the spread of misinformation

Tentative
A mockup of a prompt telling a user that "Your Comment Is Likely To Be Hurtful To Others" with an option to either edit the post or post it anyway.

Preliminary Flagging Before Posting

Reduce online harrassment

Tentative

Emergent

Emergent Grades are for interventions with only qualitative evidence.

Inference

Inference Grades are for interventions that lack direct evidence. Yet analogous studies, expert opinions, or first principles, suggest that they might work.

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