Abstract

This study investigates the ability of Thai university students to classify real versus fake news related to COVID-19 and examines their behaviors concerning the communication and dissemination of such news. Faced with an infodemic during the pandemic, understanding the dynamics of misinformation dissemination among younger populations became crucial for governments worldwide and has become an important consideration for the future management of disease outbreaks. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research engaged 333 students from Chiang Mai University across various faculties to assess their discernment and communication habits regarding COVID-19 news. Findings indicate significant disparities in students’ abilities to identify accurate information, with variances observed across academic disciplines, gender, and access to technology. The study underscores the influence of academic fields on students’ basic knowledge and their interaction with news, reflecting broader trends of digital engagement and the critical need for media literacy. Recommendations include the integration of media literacy into educational curricula and the development of collaborative strategies between educational institutions, government, and social media platforms to combat misinformation.