Students’ Perceptions of Social Media Information Through the Lens of Critical Digital Literacy
Keywords:
Digital Literacy; Social Media; Critical Awareness; Digital EducationAbstract
Social media has become an essential part of students’ daily lives and a dominant source of information. However, the reliability and bias of online information often remain unquestioned. This study investigates how senior high school students perceive and evaluate information from social media within the context of critical digital literacy. Using a qualitative case study design, data were gathered through interviews and observations involving students who actively engage with social media for academic and personal purposes. The findings reveal that while some students demonstrated an awareness of the need for digital literacy, the majority relied on social validation cues such as likes, shares, and comments to assess the credibility of content. The study underscores the need for digital literacy education that goes beyond basic technical skills to foster critical thinking and the ability to evaluate online information effectively.
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