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Fake News Reaching Young People on Social Networks: Distrust Challenging Media Literacy

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Pérez-Escoda

    (Department of Communication, Antonio de Nebrija University, C. de Sta. Cruz de Marcenado 27, 28015 Madrid, Spain)

  • Luis Miguel Pedrero-Esteban

    (Department of Communication, Antonio de Nebrija University, C. de Sta. Cruz de Marcenado 27, 28015 Madrid, Spain)

  • Juana Rubio-Romero

    (Department of Communication, Antonio de Nebrija University, C. de Sta. Cruz de Marcenado 27, 28015 Madrid, Spain)

  • Carlos Jiménez-Narros

    (Department of Communication, Antonio de Nebrija University, C. de Sta. Cruz de Marcenado 27, 28015 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Current societies are based on huge flows of information and knowledge circulating on the Internet, created not only by traditional means but by all kinds of users becoming producers, which leads to fake news and misinformation. This situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic to an unprecedented extent through social media, with special concern among young people. This study aims to provide significant data about the youngest generation in Spain (Generation Z) regarding their media and information consumption, their social network use, and their relationship with fake news, all in relation to the feeling of reliability/trust. Focusing on a convenience sample of 408 young Spanish students from Generation Z aged 18 to 22, a descriptive exploratory study is presented. Data collection was performed with an adapted questionnaire. Results show that young Spanish people use networks for information, showing a surprising lack of trust in social networks as the media they consume the most. The content they consume the most since the occurrence of COVID-19 is related to politics, entertainment, humor, and music. On the other hand, distrust of politicians, media, and journalists is evident. The conclusion is that media literacy is still more necessary than ever, but with the added challenge of mistrust: maybe it is time to rethink media literacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Pérez-Escoda & Luis Miguel Pedrero-Esteban & Juana Rubio-Romero & Carlos Jiménez-Narros, 2021. "Fake News Reaching Young People on Social Networks: Distrust Challenging Media Literacy," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jpubli:v:9:y:2021:i:2:p:24-:d:567456
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Rajagopal, 2013. "Social Media Metrics," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Managing Social Media and Consumerism, chapter 7, pages 132-151, Palgrave Macmillan.
    4. Islam, A.K.M. Najmul & Laato, Samuli & Talukder, Shamim & Sutinen, Erkki, 2020. "Misinformation sharing and social media fatigue during COVID-19: An affordance and cognitive load perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Bartolomé & Pablo Garaizar, 2022. "Design and Validation of a Novel Tool to Assess Citizens’ Netiquette and Information and Data Literacy Using Interactive Simulations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-28, March.
    2. Andreea Nistor & Eduard Zadobrischi, 2022. "The Influence of Fake News on Social Media: Analysis and Verification of Web Content during the COVID-19 Pandemic by Advanced Machine Learning Methods and Natural Language Processing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, August.

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