Trust and fact-checking habits of social media news among information and records management department students

This study aims to examine the trust levels of undergraduate students in the Department of Information and Records Management (IRM) regarding social media news and their fact-checking habits concerning this news content, in terms of various variables. In today's world, where digitalization and social media use are rapidly increasing, information disorder and disinformation in such environments have heightened the importance of critical thinking and various literacy competencies. With the intensive use of social media platforms, millions of pieces of content are produced and disseminated daily. A significant portion of this content consists of news produced by traditional media, as well as user-generated content that carries news value. The ability of all users to produce and share news-like content without adhering to traditional journalistic principles poses risks, such as the distortion of information, decontextualization, incomplete or false representation, and misleading the public. As the number of users increases, the power of social media over people also grows; some individuals and groups use social media to manipulate society regarding certain issues or events effectively. Particularly, false, misleading, or fake news disseminated through social media is often shared rapidly by users without their awareness, significantly amplifying the spread and impact of disinformation. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to approach news content encountered on social media critically, verify the accuracy of the information using various methods, and develop skills such as media literacy and news literacy. These skills are not merely individual competencies but are a fundamental necessity for societal information security and the construction of a democratic society. Part of the education provided in IRM Departments aims to develop students' skills in information retrieval and evaluation processes. Students learn how and where to access the information they need, to verify the information against the primary source and understand its importance, to examine factors such as the author's competence, content references, and the timeliness of the information, to adopt a critical perspective towards information, and to act ethically in information usage. The education offered in IRM departments is continuously developed and updated to contribute to the development of students' digital literacy skills. Through this education, students learn to use digital tools (computers, smartphones, relevant software, etc.) effectively and efficiently, search for information on the internet, utilize search engines and databases correctly, distinguish reliable sources, question the credibility of online content, recognize misleading or false information, and communicate safely via digital platforms. Students equipped with various literacy skills are expected to approach news encountered on social media critically and evaluate its accuracy. Furthermore, when guiding users in information centers, they should not only connect users with information sources but also teach them to approach information critically, supporting their transformation into informed citizens. Information centers, through their innovative services, should contribute to efforts to equip society with media and news literacy skills, helping individuals become more competent and critical thinkers in today's complex information environment. This study emphasizes the responsibilities of IRM Department students, within the framework of their professional roles, in providing reliable and verified information, critically evaluating information, and increasing society's awareness of access to information. It also emphasizes the importance of students' levels of trust in news content they encounter, particularly on social media platforms, and their habits of verifying such information. The population of the study consists of a total of 695 undergraduate students enrolled in the IRM Departments located in Ankara. The study was conducted using a quantitative research method, and the survey technique was used as the data collection tool, with 269 students participating in the research. The findings indicate that students' levels of trust in social media news and their verification habits are generally at a moderate level. It was determined that these behaviors vary according to some demographic variables, social media usage habits, and attitudes toward news content, while no significant difference was observed in terms of some variables. Accordingly, the research hypothesis was partially confirmed. Within the scope of the study, general recommendations were presented regarding the development of educational content aimed at strengthening media and news literacy skills throughout the education processes of IRM undergraduate students and the assumption of more effective responsibilities by social media platforms in combating disinformation.