Knowledge Management in the Age of Unreliable Messages. Do University Students Trust Online Messages? (A Survey from the Middle East)

Abstract

We are exposed to a constant stream of messages many of which originate from unreliable or untrustworthy sources. Moreover, it is not possible to control the messages before they are published and allow the dissemination of the verified ones only. Growing a critical mind can be a practical way to prevent the accumulation of incorrect or inaccurate information in our brains. The current study tried to see whether or not university students hold a critical view of social media messages. First, in a qualitative study, hundreds of messages shared on social media were observed, 12 of which were chosen based on the popularity of their central themes. Many of the messages contained an extraordinary claim such as the existence of mermaids, human-like complex emotions in animals, etc. Then, in a survey, the chosen messages were shown to 379 university students. The respondents were asked to express their opinions about the messages. For each of the 12 messages, between 36 to 94 percent of the respondents just assumed the messages to be true. The analysis of the responses revealed weak critical thinking among the students.

Partner choices in the age of social media: are there significant relationships between following influencers on Instagram and partner choice criteria?

“…Concern Partner choices in the age of social media: are there significant relationships between following influencers on Instagram and partner choice criteria? regarding this possible influence has sparked many studies in the field of media literacy (Sabbar et al, 2021), celebrity influence (Shahghasemi, 2020;Sadeghinia et al, 2023), users' trust (Sabbar & Hyun, 2016), risk of ICT for specific groups of people (Brown et al 2019), etc.…”

“…However, considering the oddity of the claims presented by these messages (e.g. aliens have traveled to the earth in the past centuries and a beautiful woman with a fishtail exists) those percentages seem considerably high (Sabbar et al, 2021).…”