Influence of Media Literacy on the Dissemination of Fake News among Instagram and Twitter Users

Abstract

This study aimed to determine how media literacy affects the dissemination of misleading information on Instagram and Twitter. Users create a more informed and dependable social media ecosystem by fostering responsible sharing habits and improving media literacy abilities when a piece of proper information is disseminated. To accomplish the goals of the study, a survey method was utilised to gather data with a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. Undergraduate students at Redeemer's University made up the participants in the study. Using the Taro Yamane formula for sample size, a sample of 373 was selected from the population. Findings point to a mixed state of media literacy, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and educational initiatives to improve users' capacity to distinguish between reliable and misleading news. The study suggests specific programmes to improve users' capacity to assess material, confirm assertions, and recognise promotional content in the light of the findings. The study concluded that social media platforms should incorporate fact-checking tools, source verification capabilities, and plain labelling of promotional content, education initiatives on media literacy and critical thinking into the web page of Instagram and Twitter users. To achieve all the suggested recommendations, media literacy training must be continuous so that social media users can make educated and informed decisions