Students’ Perceptions Regarding Fake News On Social Media And It’s Influence On Their Cognitive And Emotional Responces

Abstract

This mixed-methods study investigates how students view misleading material on social media and how it affects their emotional and cognitive reactions. Using an explanatory-sequential approach, the study uses quantitative data analysis to examine trends and linkages and qualitative investigation to explore the mechanisms behind these trends. The University of Peshawar's study focuses on students at the Institute of Education and Research .Quantitative information is gathered by surveys sent by email, social media, and educational institutions, and it shows the common attitudes and actions among students. The results show that even while a sizable percentage of students come across misleading information on social media, many of them decide to disregard it or move on. Nonetheless, it's clear that bogus news affects emotions; reports of disappointment, rage, and doubt are frequent. The survey also reveals differing degrees of confidence in news posted on social media platforms and raises questions about the potential effects of fake news on society as a whole. Qualitative interviews offer a more profound understanding of students' perspectives and experiences. Participants use techniques like fact-finding and cross-checking to confirm the veracity of news, indicating a modest degree of trust in their capacity to identify false information. On the other hand, coming across misleading material on social media frequently causes emotions of annoyance, suspicion, and distrust. Fake news affects decision-making processes in personal life, politics, health, and purchasing, in addition to influencing individual emotions. The study emphasizes how important critical thinking and media literacy are for interpreting online information. It draws attention to the necessity of taking action to stop fake news from spreading and lessen its detrimental effects on people and society. It is suggested that fact-checking procedures be encouraged, media literacy education be improved, and social media users be trained to critically evaluate information.