The Impact of Trust and Social Media Usage on The Value of Students Perceptions of News in Shanghai Province

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between social media usage, trust levels, and news perception among Chinese university students. The research uses probability-based random selection and quantitative surveys to collect data from 375 participants. The findings reveal that social media usage in Chinese universities is high, with WeChat, Sina Weibo, and TikTok being the most popular platforms. The study emphasises the importance of consistency, compassion, and understanding charity principles in social media communication to build trust, loyalty, and empathy. Effective time management, a passion for the community, and deep knowledge of social media platforms are essential for success . The study also highlights the role of media influence bias in shaping social action and behavior. It found a positive correlation between education level and news perception, with higher levels leading to more positive perceptions. Social media usage in classroom learning, education, and marketing also showed a significant positive correlation. Perceived value is more important than enjoyment and influence, suggesting that building trust in online sources can enhance news consumption experiences among university students in China. Factors affecting trust include consistency, compassion, communication, and trustworthiness. The study found a positive correlation between gender and social media use in education marketing, with women scoring higher than men. Age, social media type, classroom learning, education, and education marketing had positive correlations. Trust-measurement items like competency, compassion, consistency, and communication had a positive correlation with age. The study also found a weak inverse correlation between social media use during classroom instruction and overall education. Factors like age, trust, social media, gender, and competency influence news perception in educational settings.