Developing a Perceived Social Media Literacy Scale: Evidence from Singapore

Authors

  • Edson C. Tandoc Jr. Nanyang Technological University
  • Andrew Z. H. Yee Singapore University of Technology and Design
  • Jeremy Ong Nanyang Technological University
  • James Chong Boi Lee Nanyang Technological University
  • Duan Xu Nanyang Technological University
  • Zheng Han Nanyang Technological University
  • Chew Chee Han Matthew Nanyang Technological University
  • Janelle Shaina Hui Yi Ng Nanyang Technological University
  • Cui Min Lim Nanyang Technological University
  • Lydia Rui Jun Cheng Nanyang Technological University
  • Marie Ysa Cayabyab Nanyang Technological University

Keywords:

digital literacy, media literacy, mixed methods, social media

Abstract

Through a series of 4 studies (focus group discussions involving social media users and 3 nationally representative online surveys) conducted in Singapore, we identify 4 types of competencies in which social media literacy can manifest: technical, social, privacy related, and informational. Using a sequential, exploratory mixed-methods approach, we first identified literacy events and practices that were grounded in social media users’ actual experiences through a series of focus group discussions. Then, based on the qualitative results, we developed and tested a perceived social media literacy (PSML) scale through a series of 3 national online surveys, where we found disparities in PSML based on socioeconomic factors.

Author Biographies

Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Nanyang Technological University

Associate Professor Division of Journalism and Publishing Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences

Andrew Z. H. Yee, Singapore University of Technology and Design

Andrew Yee is currently SUTD Faculty Fellow at the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

Jeremy Ong, Nanyang Technological University

Former Master's Student at Nanyang Technological University

James Chong Boi Lee, Nanyang Technological University

Project Officer at Nanyang Technological University

Duan Xu, Nanyang Technological University

PhD Student at Nanyang Technological University

Zheng Han, Nanyang Technological University

PhD Student at Nanyang Technological University

Chew Chee Han Matthew, Nanyang Technological University

Master's Student at Nanyang Technological University

Janelle Shaina Hui Yi Ng, Nanyang Technological University

Master's Student at Nanyang Technological University

Cui Min Lim, Nanyang Technological University

Master's Student at Nanyang Technological University

Lydia Rui Jun Cheng, Nanyang Technological University

Master's Student at Nanyang Technological University

Marie Ysa Cayabyab, Nanyang Technological University

Former Master's Student at Nanyang Technological University

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Published

2021-05-29

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Articles