BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR COMBATING MISLEADING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENTS
Abstract
This study investigates the potential of blockchain technology as a tool for combating misleading content on social media platforms, with a specific focus on experts and users residing in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. In an age where misinformation and disinformation rapidly spread online, undermining public trust. political processes. and social cohesion. finding sustainable solutions has become increasingly urgent. This research adopts a mixed-method approach to explore how blockchain's core features. decentralization, transparency. and immutability can help restore credibility and trust in digital communication spaces.
A total of 150 respondents participated in the study, including blockchain experts, media professionals, social media experts, and knowledgeable users. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were obtained from in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that blockchain technology holds significant promise for verifying the authenticity of digital content, creating traceable records, and preventing the alteration or fabrication of information once published. These characteristics can serve as a digital safeguard against the manipulation of information, particularly on high-traffic platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
Despite its potential, the study also identifies major barriers to the adoption of blockchain technology in the Nigerian media and communication sectors. These include limited public awareness, high technical complexity. inadequate infrastructure. and the absence of supportive regulatory frameworks. The study concludes that while blockchain is not yet fully integrated into Nigeria's media environment, its application could revolutionize content authentication and fact-checking processes. It recommends strategic investment in public education, cross-sector collaborations, and the development of policy frameworks to support blockchain integration into mainstream media practices.
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