“I Started to Actually Develop Confidence”: A Controlled Usability Study of a Personal Informatics Tool for Supporting Online News Content Discernment Among Young Adults

Readers today face increasing challenges in distinguishing genuine news from misinformation and identifying biased content within algorithmically curated media environments. While prior research has focused on automated detection and adjustments to news recommendation systems, less attention has been given to user-facing interventions that shape how individuals engage with news. To address this gap, we introduce a browser-based personal informatics dashboard designed to support online news consumption by increasing awareness of bias, source quality, and credibility. In a between-subjects study (n = 100), our tool improved users’ ability to identify false information and encouraged more active engagement with news content (p < 0.05). We also observed increased lateral reading behaviors, such as cross-checking sources, suggesting deeper critical engagement. Findings are based on an integrated set of intervention features and combine statistical analyses with exploratory insights into user behavior. By adopting a personal informatics perspective, this work shifts focus from passive misinformation detection toward active, user-centered media literacy and more reflective interaction with news.