Abstract

In the age of social media, adolescents are increasingly exposed to vast amounts of information, much of which can be misleading or false. As they navigate this complex digital world, their developing cognitive abilities, particularly critical thinking skills, are put to the test. This paper explores the crucial role of critical thinking in mitigating the impact of social media misinformation on adolescents. It examines how misinformation affects cognitive development, particularly in areas like decision-making and logical reasoning. By analyzing the ways misinformation can distort adolescents’ belief systems and lead to harmful real-world behaviors, this paper emphasizes the importance of fostering critical thinking as a protective approach. Furthermore, the paper discusses the efforts of social media platforms to combat misinformation through technological means, such as fact-checking and artificial intelligence, and argues that these strategies must be complemented by strengthened critical thinking skills in adolescents. Ultimately, the paper highlights adolescents’ vulnerability grounded in their developmental complexity. The heightened sensitivity to social feedback and the still-maturing brain regions responsible for self-control make it difficult for them to distinguish truth from falsehood, which can lead to distorted beliefs and unhealthy behaviors that may persist into adulthood. Therefore, addressing the impact of misinformation on adolescents can not only safeguard their immediate cognitive development but also protect their long-term well-being

Keywords: Adolescents, Social media, Misinformation, Cognitive development, Critical thinking

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