Barriers to Truth: Adult Generations’ Ability to Analyze Facebook Fake News in a Marginalized Philippine Community

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Media and Philippine Studies (MPS)

School Name

De La Salle Santiago Zobel School - Br. Rafael Donato FSC Night High School

Track or Strand

General Academic Strand (GAS)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Gamboa, Gerald

Start Date

23-6-2026 3:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2026 5:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Manila Campus (In-person) - Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall - Y304

Abstract/Executive Summary

The rapid digital transformation and widespread use of Facebook as a primary news source in the Philippines have accelerated the spread of misinformation, highlighting a critical need for digital literacy, particularly in marginalized communities. This study examined how adult generations in a marginalized Philippine community analyze fake news on Facebook, focusing on self-perceived skills, actual recognition ability, and barriers to verification. Employing a Convergent Parallel mixed-methods design, the study collected both quantitative and qualitative data concurrently to provide a comprehensive analysis. The sample consisted of 28 participants (10 Millennials, 10 Generation X, and 8 Baby Boomers), the majority of whom were unemployed (96%) and female (96%). Quantitative data were gathered using two instruments: a self-assessment survey measuring fake news awareness, social media credibility, information verification, and sharing intentions, and a fake news recognition task evaluating actual performance across five verified and fabricated Facebook news posts. Concurrently, qualitative data were obtained through a focus group discussion (N=8) and analyzed using Thematic Analysis to uncover the reasoning behind their verification practices and perceived barriers. Participants reported high self-perceived digital literacy (overall mean = 2.18) and very high fake news awareness (grand mean = 1.36), but only high levels of information verification (grand mean = 1.91) and low trust in Facebook news (social media credibility grand mean = 2.81). Actual fake news recognition ranged from high to very high (Millennials: mean = 4.50; Generation X: 3.60; Baby Boomers: 4.13), yet performance dropped for visually formal, celebrity-based content, where participants relied heavily on layout and popularity cues. Thematic analysis showed that source familiarity, social verification through comments, celebrity-driven emotional engagement, and limited access to formal digital literacy resources shaped participants’ judgments. Based on these findings, it is recommended that local policymakers implement targeted digital literacy workshops at the barangay level. These programs should provide hands-on training on recognizing emotional clickbait and navigating social cues, ultimately fostering a more informed and resilient digital community.

Keywords

Fake News; Digital Literacy; Facebook; Adult Generations; Marginalized Communities

Statement of Originality

yes

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Jun 23rd, 3:30 PM Jun 23rd, 5:00 PM

Barriers to Truth: Adult Generations’ Ability to Analyze Facebook Fake News in a Marginalized Philippine Community

The rapid digital transformation and widespread use of Facebook as a primary news source in the Philippines have accelerated the spread of misinformation, highlighting a critical need for digital literacy, particularly in marginalized communities. This study examined how adult generations in a marginalized Philippine community analyze fake news on Facebook, focusing on self-perceived skills, actual recognition ability, and barriers to verification. Employing a Convergent Parallel mixed-methods design, the study collected both quantitative and qualitative data concurrently to provide a comprehensive analysis. The sample consisted of 28 participants (10 Millennials, 10 Generation X, and 8 Baby Boomers), the majority of whom were unemployed (96%) and female (96%). Quantitative data were gathered using two instruments: a self-assessment survey measuring fake news awareness, social media credibility, information verification, and sharing intentions, and a fake news recognition task evaluating actual performance across five verified and fabricated Facebook news posts. Concurrently, qualitative data were obtained through a focus group discussion (N=8) and analyzed using Thematic Analysis to uncover the reasoning behind their verification practices and perceived barriers. Participants reported high self-perceived digital literacy (overall mean = 2.18) and very high fake news awareness (grand mean = 1.36), but only high levels of information verification (grand mean = 1.91) and low trust in Facebook news (social media credibility grand mean = 2.81). Actual fake news recognition ranged from high to very high (Millennials: mean = 4.50; Generation X: 3.60; Baby Boomers: 4.13), yet performance dropped for visually formal, celebrity-based content, where participants relied heavily on layout and popularity cues. Thematic analysis showed that source familiarity, social verification through comments, celebrity-driven emotional engagement, and limited access to formal digital literacy resources shaped participants’ judgments. Based on these findings, it is recommended that local policymakers implement targeted digital literacy workshops at the barangay level. These programs should provide hands-on training on recognizing emotional clickbait and navigating social cues, ultimately fostering a more informed and resilient digital community.

https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2026/BoA_MPS/6