Digital Communication Strategies for Combating Misinformation and Strengthening Media Literacy Among Young Adults

Introduction: The rapid expansion of digital communication has increased young adults' exposure to misinformation, raising concerns about information credibility, critical evaluation, and responsible online participation. This study examines how digital communication strategies can be integrated to combat misinformation and strengthen media literacy among young adults. Novelty: This study addresses the limited conceptual integration of preventive communication, corrective interventions, and participatory media literacy by proposing a unified framework for understanding misinformation resilience. Methods: A qualitative approach employing library research and thematic literature analysis was used to synthesize 30 scholarly publications published between 2017 and 2026. The analysis focused on misinformation interventions, digital communication practices, information verification, and media literacy development. Results: The synthesis identified five interconnected themes: misinformation exposure, preventive communication, corrective communication, critical media literacy, and integrated intervention strategies. These findings informed the development of the Integrated Digital Communication and Media Literacy Framework (IDCMLF), comprising three complementary dimensions: preventive communication, corrective communication, and participatory media literacy. Conclusion: Combating misinformation requires coordinated communication strategies that promote critical reasoning, information verification, and responsible digital participation. The proposed framework provides a conceptual foundation for media literacy initiatives targeting young adults, although its effectiveness requires further empirical validation.