The Attitudes of Umm Al-Qura University Students towards Rumors Spreading on Online Social Networks During Covid Pandemic

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the attitudes of Umm Al-Qura University students towards rumor spreading on online social networks during the Covid pandemic. The study utilized survey research methodology, which is one of the most important methods in media research and employed a questionnaire to collect the required data. The results revealed that the majority of the sample spent an average of more than three hours per day on social media platforms. The sampled students agreed that social media networks contribute to the propagation of rumors. Data analysis further revealed a common consensus among the study sample that WhatsApp was the most used medium for spreading rumors during the pandemic, and that the most wide-spread rumors were about vaccine efficacy and safety. Furthermore, the study recommended the implementation of social media awareness campaigns suitable for university students and citizens of all ages, focusing on the dangers of rumor spreading and promoting the effective use of social media networks to seek accurate information.