Studies find media literacy, social media use can predict trust in institutions, civic engagement

Research from the University of Kansas has revealed a link between media literacy and trust in institutions, as well as the impact of social media use on civic engagement. In two studies involving over 1,300 adults in India, researchers investigated the relationship between internet usage, media literacy, and online behavior. Media literacy was found to be the strongest predictor of trust in democratic institutions such as government, nonprofits, and media outlets.

Participants who felt confident in navigating websites, finding information, and teaching these skills to others reported higher levels of trust in these institutions. Additionally, those who critically assessed the information they received online also had higher levels of trust.

Conversely, frequent social media users, particularly on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, tended to have lower levels of trust in institutions. This could be due to the fact that these platforms are not commonly used by government or public institutions, making it difficult for them to reach their audience effectively. The studies also found that respondents who relied on traditional and online news for community information had higher levels of trust, especially when they possessed strong media literacy skills.

A second study examined the relationship between internet use and civic engagement. While traditional media consumption was associated with higher levels of civic engagement, media literacy did not positively predict such engagement. Interestingly, participants who actively created online content or simply engaged by commenting and sharing information reported similar levels of civic involvement.

These findings suggest that media literacy is crucial for engaging the public, but providing the necessary information is not as straightforward as ensuring it is available online. Facebook and WhatsApp, despite their widespread use, did not necessarily predict higher civic engagement among frequent users. The researchers emphasize the importance of teaching digital literacy skills to foster a healthy democracy, as people are constantly bombarded with a mix of entertainment, information, and personal news.

By equipping individuals with the tools to understand important information about their communities, democracies can strengthen their relationship with their citizens.