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THE DANGER OF FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: VULNERABILITY AND LACK

OF READING COMPREHENSION IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

A Research Introduction presented to the

Faculty of Senior High School Department of

Riverside College, Inc.

In Partial Fulfillment of

the Requirements for

Practical Research I

(Name of group members)

March 2023
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TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................3

Background of The Study......................................................................................................................3

Statement of The Problem....................................................................................................................4
Theoretical Framework..........................................................................................................................5
Significance of the Study.......................................................................................................................6
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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem,

theoretical framework, and scope and limitations. It also contains the presentation of

the problem that the researchers aim to solve.

Background of The Study

In recent years, the growth of social media platforms on the internet has improved

interpersonal communication. Online social media users exchange information, interact

with one another, and keep up with current events. Yet, a considerable amount of

information spreading over social media is questionable and, in some cases,

deliberately misleading. Young students fall for it as it is demonstrably fabricated,

packaged, and disseminated to appear as legitimate news. It has taken over social

media, becoming part of everyday life for many people.

Social media is now one of the most important sources of news, especially

among young students due to their quick and easy access. The traditional media are

steadily losing ground, both in terms of perceived reliability and as a preferred news

source (Reuters, 2019; Statista, 2019; Notley et al., 2017). This problem is a risk for

society now that people are exposed to news and content that is inexact or entirely
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untrue (Zhang & Ghorbani, 2020). It makes the truth hard to find and can be one of the

biggest threats to a student’s safety. Students lack realistic concerns about how people

are discovering and sharing information (Larkin, 2017). It leaves them defenseless when

exposed to the possibility of being manipulated. A Stanford study, “Students’ Civic

Online Reasoning: A National Portrait,” on the vulnerability of students to fake news

found that most students find it hard to distinguish between real and false information.

It is essential that individuals evaluate the web news they encounter and find

notable if they want to be sure the material is accurate. The researchers aim to

determine the vulnerability of senior high school students to fake news when using

social media. In addition to that, the researchers also aim to instill in students the value

of reading comprehension when scrolling through social media platforms.

Statement of The Problem

This study aims to determine the vulnerability of senior high school students to

fake news when using social media.

Specifically, this research aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the dangers that fake news poses to an individual, especially a senior high

school student?

2. How crucial are reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in distinguishing

between accurate information and deliberate misinformation?

3. How can fake news affect the views and perceptions of senior high school students?
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Theoretical Framework

The Media Literacy Theory (MLT) by James W. Potter emphasizes the

importance of developing critical thinking skills in individuals to navigate the media

landscape. According to MLT, media literacy involves the ability to access, assess,

analyze, and create media messages. The theory acknowledges that media has a

significant impact on individuals and societies, hence it is critical to educate people on

how to perceive media messages and differentiate between true and false information.

MLT provides a lens to understand how senior high school students' media literacy skills

affect their vulnerability to fake news on social media in the context of our study.

The spread of fake news on social media is a growing issue in today's

generation, particularly among senior high school students who use social media

platforms often. A lack of consistency in analyzing internet information erodes students'

capacity to develop educated conclusions over time. According to several studies,

students who lack media literacy skills are more likely to trust misinformation and, as a

result, are more vulnerable to propaganda and manipulation. As a result, the purpose of

this study is to examine the relationship between media literacy, vulnerability, and

reading comprehension among senior high school students in the context of fake news

on social media.
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Based on the Media Literacy Theory, we hypothesize that senior high school

students with higher levels of media literacy will be less vulnerable to fake news on

social media because they will have the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and

analyze media messages. Furthermore, reading comprehension will have a significant

impact in the relationship between media literacy and vulnerability. We hypothesize that

students with stronger reading comprehension capabilities will be less vulnerable to

misinformation because they will comprehend the context and complexities of media

messages better. Overall, we aim that our research will help individuals recognize the

importance of media literacy in preventing and reducing the dangers of fake news on

social media, particularly among senior high school students.

Significance of the Study

The results of this research will raise awareness and give insights into the

dangers of fake news as well as the importance of reading comprehension when

evaluating information found on social media. This study will benefit the following:

Students. This study focuses on senior high school students because these

individuals are more vulnerable to the dangers of fake news on social media due to the

growing usage of the internet by today's generation. It helps make students more aware

of all the information that can be obtained online, which will benefit them in their

schooling as well as later in their professional and personal lives.

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Parents. This study will inform parents so that they, too, may be more aware of

the dangers of misleading information online and can guide them in preparing their

children with media literacy skills so that they do not become vulnerable to fake news.

Teachers. This study will provide them with a deeper understanding of the

potential dangers of fake news and the insights they need to develop strategies that will

help students improve their ability to question and find the truth.

Riverside College. This institution can benefit from being aware of the dangers

of fake news, establishing useful strategies, and improving media literacy, all of which

will help protect their students from the widespread availability of fake news on social

media.

Future Researchers. This study will provide information used as the foundation

for additional studies in the future. The research findings will serve as a foundation for

future studies and references.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study aims to investigate the vulnerability of senior high school students to

encountering misinformation on social media platforms, specifically on Facebook,

Instagram, Twitter, and other similar platforms. The study will be conducted among

Grade 11 and 12 students at Riverside College Inc. to determine their thoughts and

views regarding fake news and its effects. An in-depth interview will be employed as the
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primary method of data collection, followed by a survey questionnaire to measure their

reading comprehension.

Definition of Terms

The following terms will be conceptually and operationally defined:

Fake News. Conceptually, false, or misleading content is presented as news and

communicated in formats spanning spoken, written, printed, electronic, and digital

communication. Operationally, it refers to the false and misleading information being

spread by others.

Social Media. Conceptually, platforms like websites and apps that facilitate

communication, participation, information sharing, and teamwork. Social media is used

by people to communicate with their friends, family, and neighbors. Operationally, it

refers to the interactive technology that is being used to spread all the false information.

Senior High School Student. Conceptually, refers to a student in Grades 11 and

12, the last two years of the K–12 program that DepEd has been implementing since

2012. Operationally, the participants or respondents that we chose to investigate in this

research.
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Reading comprehension. Conceptually, the ability to read text, process it, and

understand its meaning. It relies on two interconnected abilities: word reading (being

able to decode the symbols on the page) and language comprehension (being able to

understand the meaning of the words and sentences). Operationally, this is what the

students need to improve on.

Academic. Conceptually, is used to describe things that relate to the work done

in schools, colleges, and universities, especially work which involves studying and

reasoning rather than practical or technical skills. Operationally, is the basis of our

research into the dangers of fake news on social media for senior high school students.

Misinformation. Conceptually, false, or inaccurate information, especially that

which is deliberately intended to deceive. Operationally, this is what senior high school

students experience mostly from time to time, based on the research.

Critical thinking. Conceptually, the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue

lead to a judgment. Operationally, in this research, this is what senior high school

students need to focus more on learning about to analyze or gather the news more

accurately.