Trust in social media and COVID-19 beliefs and behaviours

The study investigates the relationship between trust in social media and beliefs and preventive behaviours in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed 1008 respondents in South Africa to study how trust in social media relative to other information sources predicts perceived risk and adoption of preventive behaviours. Although engagement with and trust in social media do not predict less adoption of preventive behaviours, trusting information from social media more than information from mass media or scientists is associated with less risk perception from COVID-19 and reduces the adoption of preventive behaviours (including vaccines).DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENTS Statement: Data is available on the University of Pretoria Figshare site. The DOI is 10.25403/UPresearchdata.19463492SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : S1 Table. Details of responses to categorical predictor variables. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s001S2 Table. Regressions using Tobit and logit models for behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s002S3 Table. Comparing impacts of different measures using Tobit and OLS models. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s003S1 Questionnaire. Informed consent and questionnaire. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275969.s004The African Academy of Sciences.http://www.plosone.orgdm2022Economic