The Spread of Information Disorder on Facebook and its Impact on Sociocultural Sustainability

Abstract

This study focuses on how information disorder on Facebook affects sociocultural sustainability.  Sustainable development comprises the economic, environmental, and social domains. Several researchers have focused on financial and ecological growth, while the sociocultural sphere concerned with language and communication in a digital space remains unnoticed. Human interaction is essential in sustainable development. Therefore, language as a shared means of communication is worth paying attention to. Information disorder as discussed in this paper includes misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information. Facebook, is one of the largest social media platforms which plays a pivotal role in disseminating information. This makes it susceptible to the spread of information disorder and its potential consequences on sociocultural sustainability. Through an interdisciplinary approach drawing from language, communication, and technology, this study investigates two main questions: How do information disorders spread on Facebook? Moreover, what impact does exposure to information disorder have on sociocultural sustainability? A descriptive research design entailing qualitative and quantitative approaches was used in data collection and analysis. Qualitative data was collected using unstructured interviews in four sessions, which lasted 10 minutes using an interview guide. On the other hand, quantitative data was collected using questionnaires with structured questions. 50 informants were purposively sampled from Roysambu Sub-County in Nairobi County. This sample size is intended to supplement the highlighted gaps from the literature reviewed for generalization. The developmental-sociocultural theory is adopted as an analytical tool, using its cultural beliefs and social cohesion tenets. The findings reveal that Facebook users, especially young adults, are increasingly exposed to information disorder, which distorts societal norms and values. These findings may provide insight for policymakers on social media platforms and communities to develop robust strategies to combat information disorder and promote a more sustainable sociocultural environment in this digital age.