Strengthening Digital Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills of Madrasah Tsanawiyah Students in Facing Hoax Information on Social Media

Rasmita Rasmita; Nurmaliana Pohan; Harlan Kurnia AR

doi:10.55537/j-ibm.v6i2.1911

Authors

Rasmita Rasmita Universitas Putra Indonesia YPTK Padang
Nurmaliana Pohan Universitas Putra Indonesia YPTK Padang
Harlan Kurnia AR Universitas Putra Indonesia YPTK Padang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55537/j-ibm.v6i2.1911

Keywords:

critical thinking, hoax, social media, digital literacy, junior high school students

Abstract

The rapid spread of unverified information on social media challenges students' ability to distinguish facts from hoaxes. This community service program aimed to strengthen digital literacy and critical thinking among 27 Grade VII students at MTsN 5 Padang City. A participatory active-learning approach was implemented in one session through socialization, interactive training, group discussion, and simulations of real hoax cases. Data were collected using structured participatory observation covering cognitive, skill, and affective indicators; no standardized pre-test/post-test instrument was used. Field notes indicated improved recognition of hoax characteristics, more frequent critical questions about sources and publication dates, and greater caution before sharing unverified information. Informal feedback from the school community was positive. Because facilitators also acted as observers and the activity was limited to a single session, the findings should be interpreted as indicative short-term observations rather than measured or lasting change. Future programs should use standardized evaluation instruments and independent observers to quantify outcomes more robustly.

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