The Impact of Social Media Information Literacy on Malaysian Youth’s Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

Social media has evolved into a network that helps users find information. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are now important sources of up-to-date news and information. In order to give people the ability to assess, inform about potential threats or effects, and be aware of false information in the network, social media information literacy (SMIL) has been developed. However, that social media can have negative emotional effects that decrease in emotional quotient (EQ) among young people will directly lead to social problems like crime. In this quantitative study, Malaysian youth between the ages of 19 and 40 were examined to determine the impact of social media information literacy (SMIL) on emotional intelligence (EQ). 241 students from three universities in Malaysia who were selected through proportional stratified random sampling and simple random sampling made up the respondents. Data are gathered using a "Google Form" questionnaire and data analysis uses descriptive and inferential statistical analysis to get the results. Social media information literacy (SMIL) and emotional intelligence (EQ) were found to be significantly correlated by Pearson correlation inference analysis. The results of this study have implications for institutions seeking to develop human capital, technology, and media. Other organizations interested in exploring the field of social media information literacy (SMIL) and emotional intelligence (EQ) can use it to meet the sustainable development goals (SDG) in digital sustainability as recommended by UNESCO.