Citation

Tan, Khong Sin and Lim, Shu Juan and Cheah, Hui Wen and Lai, Kim Piew and Long, Nguyen Duc Bao (2026) Factors Influencing Misinformation Sharing Among University Students in Malaysia During Covid-19 Pandemic. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, 612. pp. 773-783. ISSN 2198-4182

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Abstract

The year 2020 was a breakout year for online information warfare with misinformation sharing concerning the Covid-19 pandemic being the most prevalent issue worldwide. Social media plays a significant role during the Covid-19 pandemic, as it enables people to share news and personal experiences and viewpoints with one another in real-time, globally. Unfortunately, it has become a fertile ground for misinformation due to the lack of quality control mechanisms. University students are among the most vulnerable groups to spread misinformation, since they are the most active users of various social media platforms to seek information regarding their academics as well as to converse and for enjoyment, because of the online learning mode and movement restrictions. The research aimed to understand the reasons behind misinformation sharing which will help to mitigate the seriousness of this issue and prevent further associated negative consequences. This research focuses on five factors which include altruism, entertainment, socialization, information-seeking and status-seeking influence misinformation sharing among Malaysia university students amid Covid-19 pandemic. This study conducted research among 200 Malaysian university students studying in Melaka University regarding their motives to share misinformation during Covid-19 pandemic. Motives were identified based on misinformation sharing model developed using the Uses and Gratification (U&G) theory. The results showed that entertainment, status-seeking, altruism, and information-seeking significantly predicted misinformation sharing behavior during Covid-19 pandemic. Conversely, socialization was found to be insignificant. With the findings, the main contribution of this research was the factors that influence misinformation sharing.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Social media, university students
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions:	Faculty of Business (FOB)
Depositing User:	Ms Rosnani Abd Wahab
Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2026 04:42
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2026 04:42
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/15297

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