Motivations for Dissemination of Fake News Among Youth in Tanzania: A Case of Ilala Municipal

This study investigates the factors that contribute to the dissemination of false information among young people in Dar es Salaam's Ilala Municipality. It looks at their awareness, computer literacy, and social influences. A structured survey was used to gather information from 60 respondents who were chosen at random. According to the results, 46.7% of people often come across fake news on social media, demonstrating a high level of knowledge. Social validation is important; 48.3% of respondents feel that sharing information raises one's social standing, while 33.4% disagree, indicating varying opinions on the impact of social media. There is a need for improved digital literacy abilities, as seen by the fact that 16.6% of respondents rarely or never fact-check content before sharing, compared to 30% who usually do so. In order to improve critical thinking, the study suggests incorporating media literacy into community and educational initiatives.