INQUIRY-BASED EDUCATION IN ANALYZING SOCIAL MEDIA REFERENCE TOWARDS DEVELOPING CIVIC ONLINE REASONING AMONG SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok has transformed how information is consumed globally, including in the Philippines, where approximately 94 million individuals actively use social media as of 2023 (OOSGA, 2023). However, this accessibility has also led to increased exposure to misinformation, particularly among students who often lack the critical skills to assess digital content (Gagalang, 2022; Shu et al., 2020; Shabani & Keshavarz, 2022). Research highlights students’ difficulty in distinguishing credible information from false content, often relying on superficial cues rather than verifying sources (Besmano et al., 2017; Johnston, 2020; Liwanag et al., 2019; Axelsson et al., 2021). To address this, the concept of civic online reasoning has emerged, referring to the ability to evaluate digital information, verify source credibility, and engage in informed online discourse (Breakstone et al., 2019; McGrew & Breakstone, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified the need for these skills as online learning became widespread, intensifying students’ exposure to digital misinformation (Ku et al., 2023; Sylviany et al., 2021).