Factors Influencing Information Adoption From Social Media About COVID-19 by Saudi Citizens

Suaad Almalki*, Victoria Uren, Matthew Hall

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

Social networking sites comprise an open world where anyone can share different types of information. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people's social isolation made social media particularly important, and it has emerged as an important platform for sharing health information. The credibility of the information, however, is questionable. Therefore, this study aims to understand attitudes towards using social media as an information source among social media users in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, it seeks to examine the propensity of individuals towards using health information from social media platforms and whether individuals demographic factors (such as gender) impact information adoption. Based on using an online questionnaire incorporating a novel vignette design to measure participants’ perceptions of information sources on social media platforms. The findings revealed that there is a high use of social media platforms among the Saudi population and that verified accounts on social media platforms, same gender and nationality positively affect the propensity towards adopting information.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th European Conference on Social Media, ECSM 2023
EditorsIwona Lupa-Wojcik, Marta Czyzewska
Pages268-275
Number of pages8
Volume10
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9781914587665
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 May 2023
Event10th European Conference on Social Media - Pedagogical University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland
Duration: 18 May 202219 May 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 10th European Conference on Social Media, ECSM 2023

Conference

Conference10th European Conference on Social Media
Abbreviated titleECSM 2022
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityKrakow
Period18/05/2219/05/22

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2023 European Conference on Social Media. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/].

Keywords

  • Information Adoption
  • Verification Mark
  • Social Media
  • Vignettes

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