Social Media Use, Thinking Styles and Perceptions of Fake News

Is the advancement of communication technology causing more trouble than it is worth? Social Networking Sites (SNS) have connected people in unforeseen ways however they have also become breeding grounds for spreading false information, referred to as “Fake News” (FN). The concept of critical thinking (CT) seemingly offers a potential solution, yet the limited amount of studies examining SNS relationship with CT and an individual’s susceptibility to FN leaves many unknowns. Subsequently, using a general sample (N = 89) this study hoped to examine the effects that time spent on SNS has on someone’s disposition to think critically alongside the effects that both of these variables have on their susceptibility to FN. The Cognitive Thinking Disposition Scale (CTDS) was used to examine one’s disposition to think critically whilst participants accuracy at correctly guessing the nature of 20 articles (10 true/ 10 false) denoted their susceptibility to FN. This study found no relationship between either time spent on SNS and the disposition to think critically or these two variables and FN susceptibility. Implications for these findings are discussed with considerations going towards the possibility of control beliefs and that whilst CT ability might protect ourselves, CT disposition might protect others. Keywords: social networking sites, time spent on social networking sites, critical thinking, disposition to think critically, fake news, susceptibility to fake news