Social media and economic disinformation: impact on digital citizenship
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Andrea Cueva Villamarín
andrea.cueva@uasb.edu.ec
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https://doi.org/10.56754/0718-4867.2025.3773Abstract
Introduction: This article investigates the influence of social media on the dissemination of economic disinformation and its implications for citizen decision-making in Ecuador. While these platforms broaden access to information, the dissemination of evidence-based economic content remains limited, overshadowed by the virality of politicized narratives with economic undertones. Objectives: To analyze how these dynamics affect citizens’ critical capacity and propose educational communication strategies. Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods strategy with a descriptive-explanatory framework, the study combines quantitative data from 403 surveys with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews conducted with experts in communication and economics, along with content analysis of 20 viral posts and a focused literature review. Results: The findings reveal biased patterns of information consumption, the amplification of influencers as key opinion leaders, and the marginal visibility of academically trained economists in digital discourse. The study corroborates that formal economic education enhances citizens’ critical thinking and mitigates the spread of disinformation. Conclusions: Promoting digital economic literacy is pivotal for fostering civic empowerment, increasing resilience to manipulative content, and enhancing the quality of public deliberation. The evidence offers valuable input for the development of public policy initiatives aimed at institutionalizing digital economic literacy as a foundation for more informed decision-making and more engaged, critical democratic participation.
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