Navigating Digital Realities: Understanding Young People's Engagement with Social Media for News, Political Information, and Identity Formation

• In Event: Attuning to Participant Voices in Digital Literacies Research

Abstract

Examining think-aloud and interview data, this study investigated how youth navigate social media texts for information and identity negotiation. The results informed a conceptual map that outlined the processes young people employ as they navigate information. Data revealed engagement in reciprocal algorithmic manipulation, where youth were influenced by the algorithm, while consciously curating their output. This research offers insights for educators and policy makers aiming to foster critical media literacy and promote an informed citizenry.

Author

• Rachel Besharat Mann, Wesleyan University