DEVELOPING AN INFODEMIC MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK: INSIGHTS FROM YOUNG MALAYSIANS’ EXPERIENCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.25/no.1/art.2848Keywords:
fake news , health information , infodemics, Herbal; Internet; Social Media; Web, Covid-19, Children, School, Pandemic, young adultAbstract
The recent pandemic has highlighted the profound risks posed by infodemics to society, emphasizing the urgent need for effective management strategies. This article explores the infodemic experiences of Malaysian young adults and proposes a tailored management mechanism for the Malaysian context. Twelve semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with young adults in Selangor and Perlis. These locations were chosen for their contrasting COVID-19 case numbers and regional internet availability. The data were analyzed thematically, and two major themes were identified: the initial contact and then living with the infodemic. Due to the lack of specific cyber regulations regarding fake news, the management of COVID-19-related information relied heavily on personal ethics, moral and awareness. The respondents showed a significant understanding of facts, misinformation and disinformation about the virus, but there were concerns about their parents’ comprehension of COVID-19, highlighting a generational digital literacy divide. The proposed infodemic management mechanism highlights the necessity of collaboration between internet users and policymakers to cultivate an informed, resilient society equipped to handle future infodemics.
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