Author Name: Akshay Upmanyu, Prof (Dr.) Dhruv Sabharwal Date: 25-03-2026
Abstract
Despite the high levels of digital engagement, India faces significant challenges in regard of fake news and misinformation due to limited levels of digital awareness and literacy. As Internet access has expanded rapidly, it is important to bridge the gap between digital usage and understanding. This study considers the need for empirically driven research on the different dimensions of digital literacy affecting the belief in fake news and resistance to misinformation in a diverse and complex digital landscape like India. A total of 262 Indian digital users were considered for conducting the study. Using principal component analysis (PCA), five factors corresponding to digital literacy were extracted. These include – Information Evaluation Skills, Media Literacy, Technical Digital Skills, Critical Thinking Ability and Source Verification Behaviour. The overall levels of digital literacy rates and resistance to information in the study were found to be at moderate level. The relatively lower levels of believe in fake news indicate a population who are aware but not entirely immune to misinformation online. Critical Thinking Ability and Source Verification Behaviour were observed to primary contributes towards fake news belief and resistance to misinformation. The study contributes by stating digital literacy not as a uniform construct but having differential effects on the outcomes. The role of cognitive skills like critical thinking abilities and source verification behaviour provide evidence on the consideration of such factors other than technical skills only.
Keywords – digital, literacy, fake news, misinformation, quantitative.
