Information disorders in the digital age: Insights into students’ awareness and perceptions at Kwara state polytechnic, Ilorin Nigeria

Problem Statement Information is an integral pillar of the progress and development of every human society. However, the need to spread information has prompted some people to deliberately (or otherwise) share false, wrong, fabricated or inaccurate information. This study examines information disorders in the digital age, with the aim of gaining insight into students’ awareness and perceptions at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria. This study focused on ascertaining the awareness, perceptions, sources and causes of information disorders among the students. Method Using descriptive survey design, the population of this study was 1,913 HND II students of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT), Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria, encompassing the departments of Computer Science, Office Technology and Management (OTM) and Mass Communication. Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table was used to arrive at 218 samples who were randomly selected. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. From the expected questionnaires, only 163, representing 74.98%, were fully filled and adequate for analysis. Data obtained were analysed and presented in simple percentage, frequency table and mean ( X ) using the IBM SPSS 26th edition. Results The findings demonstrated that the respondents have high awareness of fake news, rumours, satire or parody and partially aware of filter bubbles. The respondents also perceived information disorders as information fabricated for the purposes of drawing attention, mislead the people, promote personal agenda and amusement. On the other hand, they were doubting whether information fabricated for political purposes is information disorders. Notably, findings also pointed out that information disorders are being shared by friends, family and relatives, government agencies, politicians and journalists, while celebrities share less information disorders. Moreso, the students perceived that information disorders are caused due to their urge to share current information, unconscious misrepresent truth and unaware of information disorders. Conclusion This study concludes that the students of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria, lack adequate awareness of information disorders, which affected their perceptions of it. One of the recommendations of this study is that lecturers should endeavour to be teaching information disorders in all information related courses.