EMERGING TRENDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND MEDIA LITERACY

Abstract

With the emergence of digitalization has basically transformed the ways in which information, knowledge, and entertainment are created, distributed and accessed. The new media is rich with opportunities and jeopardies, particularly for youth. New Media or Digital Media has become a vital source for young people who have access to Digital Technology and basic skills to use it Due to digital technologies, they are participating in an array of activities, including social networking, social bookmarking, blogging, vlogging, chatting, downloading music and other content, uploading and sharing their own creations and collaborating it with other users in different ways. As a result of these activities, diversity of ideas and perspectives have been created which is forming a spirit of digitally connected. Socializing digitally have facilitated communication. Although these activities are advantageous in many ways but it also brought up some behavioural changes among youth, not only the behavioural changes but also their social behaviour and approaches. Seeing the present scenario of digital media, its information quality framework and its usage by youth, this review paper tries to find out what are the ways in which youth search for information online, how they assess information as well as their new levels of media literacy. A proper understanding of digital space would allow young users to access, analyse and evaluate the information. As the young generation is a major part of the society hence one should know what the impact of information is, they cater from the digital media. In the present scenario media is shaping the society and also affecting the perception. Exploratory research design has been chosen by the researcher and the research will be based upon secondary data. An analysis of selected literature at the intersection of Digital Media, Youth, Information Quality and their media literacy is done in this research paper, with which the researcher has tried to find out the resultant impact on their social interactions and social behaviour.