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The data gathered during this research is representative of a major impact that social media platforms hold on public opinion and behavior, illustrating the significant role that social media platforms have as hosts for misinformation. A majority of smartphone users engage with short-form video platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok, where they encounter a mix of political content and misinformation which is largely impactful tio their political actions and views on historical and current events. Misinformation concerning racism, COVID-19 Vaccination, and climate change was most prevalent, creating an environment lacking trust for users as a result of the content they consume online.
This concept would be a valuable one to highlight in future research, as the relationship between political ideas and conspiracy theories is something that should be considered when trying to mitigate damage as a result of conspiracy theories.
Despite the challenges, the findings also suggest that social media can be a potent tool for education and political engagement, with a significant portion of users feeling more educated about current and historical events. This dual role of social media as both a source of misinformation and a valuable educational tool underscores the complex impact of these platforms on public knowledge and societal behavior.
These implications point to the urgent need for interventions at various levels, including policy changes, platform accountability, public education initiatives on media literacy, and the fostering of critical thinking skills among the populace to mitigate the negative impacts while enhancing the positive potential of social media.
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