Utilisation of Technological Based Approach of Misinformation Management and Curbing of Social Media Hysteria in South-South, Nigeria

This study examine the extent to which the utilisation of technological based approach of misinformation management facilitates curbing of social media hysteria in South-South Nigeria. Four research questions were raised with one hypothesis formulated. The research design employed was correlational research design. The population comprised 103 library staff in the eight public universities in south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria from which sample of 103 was derived using census sampling technique. The data derivation was achieved using researcher’s designed research instrument entitled: “Misinformation Management for Curbing of Social Media Hysteria Scale” (MMCSMHS)”. Face-validation was used to ascertain the appropriateness of the items in eliciting requisite information. Reliability estimate of 0.88 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The collated data were analysed using percentage, chart, mean score, and linear regression R-square and F-value. Results showed that the prevalence of misinformation on social media was considered high (49.5%). Results also indicated that the level of knowledge on how to detect what constitute misinformation was very low (x̄=2.66), especially in the ability to utilised fact checking tools to confirm accuracy of information (x̄=2.04). Also, the results showed that the extent of utilisation of technology-based approach in identification and detection of misinformation among the library staff is very low. This aligned with the results that technology-based misinformation management strategies have a very low positive predictive influence on curbing of social media hysteria in South-South Nigeria. However it was revealed that technology-based misinformation significantly assists in the curbing of social media hysteria in South -South Nigeria. It is recommended that the Institutions’ managers should incorporate routine digital training for library staff to update their knowledge on the real-time digitalisation skills for effective and efficient data science and quality information management that is devoid of disinformation and misinformation. Also, the library staff should embark of self-regulated training on technology-based approach of misinformation detection and verification to optimised their information management processes and skills.