The Importance of Social Media in the Daily Lives of the residents in Upper Lapu-Lapu, Narra, Palawan

The reliance on social media for news in Upper Lapu-Lapu mirrors broader patterns observed across the Philippines. Social media has become a primary channel for information dissemination, especially in communities that may be geographically isolated or have limited access to traditional news outlets. This trend is reinforced by the high engagement and prolonged usage rates among Filipinos, who are recognized as some of the most active social media users globally. Fake News and Misinformation: The rapid spread of unverified or false information is a significant concern, as highlighted by recent reports on the prevalence of fake news and its impact on public opinion and behavior. Digital Literacy: There is a growing need for digital literacy initiatives to help residents critically evaluate the information they encounter online and avoid falling victim to misinformation or scams. Community Engagement: Social media not only informs but also facilitates community discussions, collective action, and civic participation, further embedding itself in the fabric of daily life in Upper Lapu-Lapu. The data from Table 2 demonstrates that residents of Upper Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Poblacion, Narra, Palawan, generally agree on the importance of social media as a source of news and current events. The grand mean for the News indicators is 3.60636, which falls within the "Agree" range on the Likert scale. This indicates that social media is perceived as an essential tool for staying updated on both local and global issues, delivering real-time news, and spreading awareness about critical topics. All individual indicators under the News category received mean scores above 3.4, with the highest being 3.68198 for the statement "The importance of social media in delivering real-time news cannot be ignored." Even the lowest mean (3.42049, for "social media is essential for staying updated on local and global issues") remains within the "Agree" range, reflecting a consistently positive perception of social media’s news function among respondents. The results from Upper Lapu-Lapu reflect a broader national reliance on social media as a vital source of news and information. While residents agree on its importance, there is a parallel need to address issues related to misinformation, privacy, and digital literacy to ensure that the benefits of social media are maximized while minimizing its risks. The findings underscore the transformative role of social media in modern Filipino society, particularly as a tool for news, community engagement, and public discourse.