The Relationship between the Perception of Social Media Credibility and Political Engagement in Social Media among Generation Z

Abstract

The growing emphasis on the perception of social media credibility has been an important factor in transforming the way Generation Z natives engage on social media. Subsequently, many people now tend to put tremendous priority on whether the information they find on social media in the realm of politics is presumed as credible which then shapes the way they engage politically. The Generation Z despite being digital natives, are not immune to the repercussions in the process of evaluating the credibility of social media and the misuse of social media in political aspects. Therefore, this research aimed to study the credibility of political information on social media perceived by Generation Z, the political engagement in social media among Generation Z, and the relationship between the perception of social media credibility and political engagement in social media among Generation Z. Quantitative research was carried out on a sample of Generation Z young adults aged 15 to 25 years old residing within Klang Valley, Selangor. From the data analysis of 400 valid responses, it was found that the Generation Z cohort has a positive perception of social media credibility and they show high political engagement in social media. Additionally, the findings indicate that the perception of social media credibility has a significant relationship with political engagement in social media among Generation Z. This paper would be useful to future researchers in studies based on this communication area as well as social news site journalists who produce content and target Generation Z audience in particular.