Enhancing Social Media Literacy and Fake News Awareness Among Female University Students: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in the spread of fake news through social media in India, and concerns about fake news have increased after pandemic year of 2019. There were numerous events across the country that were affected. University students, Being the most active social media users, are highly vulnerable to consuming and distributing fake news. The attempt made here is to understand that media literacy interventions help users to counter fake news. However, Previous studies have mainly studied the role and impact of Social media literacy in identifying fake news among students. Using the new media literacy framework, this study analyses the level of media literacy of university-going female students and their ability to identify fake news on social media. This study employed mixed methods approach. Applying convenience sampling technique, a total of 190 females (N =190) university students, pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses participated in this survey. After the survey, female (N=18) students were selected to participate in the Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The findings revealed that female students have low understanding of media literacy regarding identifying fake news or real news. Almost all students have good skills of creating, editing and making photos and videos. Respondents able to check, validate, and define information social media posts. They are using more than two social media platforms. Surprisingly, some students are well aware of trolling and fake news trends on social media. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that program of media literacy should be promoted which emphasize identification of fake news and the consequences of its distribution. Media literacy should be included in the curriculum at college and university levels.