Taiwan Faces Urgent Call to Strengthen Social Media Literacy Education

Taiwan’s youth are increasingly vulnerable to digital influence, particularly through social media platforms like TikTok, which has penetrated deeply into teenage life. Over half of Taiwanese teenagers use TikTok—significantly more than the one-third of young adults in their twenties who engage with the platform, according to recent statistics.

This digital shift represents a fundamental change in media consumption patterns. Rather than watching television after school as previous generations did, today’s Taiwanese teenagers immerse themselves in social media environments where they face an overwhelming flood of content that subtly shapes their worldviews, often without their awareness.

A report released this spring by Doublethink Lab highlighted how TikTok specifically is exposing young users to disinformation, scams, and harmful content while subtly influencing their perceptions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Despite Taiwan’s 2019 Anti-Infiltration Act, which requires platforms to remove misleading content, disinformation continues to flourish across social networks.

“While banning platforms like TikTok might seem like a simple solution, it contradicts Taiwan’s democratic values,” said a digital policy expert familiar with the issue. “Most young people support safer platforms rather than outright bans.”

Public concern about disinformation is intensifying amid a worrying educational gap. A National Taiwan University study found exposure to disinformation rose from 82 percent in 2023 to 95 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, research by Google revealed that while over 80 percent of Taiwanese have encountered false information online, fewer than 10 percent have taken media literacy courses.

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) influence operations targeting Taiwanese youth have evolved from overt propaganda to more subtle approaches. Analysts have pointed to Beijing’s use of sharp power tactics, including allegations that local influencers are being paid to promote pro-Beijing messages. The concern now centers on how everyday content gradually normalizes pro-China narratives.

This generational divide in content exposure is striking. Recent research found 26 percent of Taiwanese teenagers regularly encounter China-related social media content, compared to just 13 percent of those aged 20-33. Teenagers more frequently see neutral or favorable portrayals of China, such as videos showcasing Chinese urban life, economic success, or cultural trends.

“Without tools to critically assess why certain content appears in their feeds, teenagers may internalize curated portrayals and mistake them for reality,” said a researcher who studies digital influence operations in Taiwan.

The emotional impact is equally concerning. Many teenagers recognize that misleading content is pervasive but feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to believe. The Taiwan FactCheck Center’s “2022 Annual Fake News Survey” found teenagers frequently describing feelings of anxiety, irritation, and helplessness when navigating misinformation online.

This has led some to disengage completely, doubting most content they encounter. While this indicates a degree of skepticism, it masks a deeper sense of helplessness that may ultimately leave young people more vulnerable. Experts warn that many teenagers underestimate the risks posed by Beijing’s influence campaigns, particularly as they lack the historical context of pivotal events like the 2014 Sunflower Movement that shaped older generations’ political awareness.

Taiwan’s educational system is struggling to address these challenges. Media literacy has been part of Taiwan’s curriculum since 2002, following a white paper issued by the Ministry of Education. Recent initiatives include updated teaching materials, educator training, and over 500 local events to strengthen digital awareness. The upcoming 2029 curriculum reform aims to build students’ digital skills and help schools adapt to emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence.

However, many teachers feel unprepared to teach modern media literacy, focusing primarily on traditional news sources rather than social media platforms where teenagers spend most of their time. Teachers need access to well-developed, regularly updated training programs created by specialists in digital literacy.

Taiwan’s civil society organizations have stepped into this gap. Groups like the Taiwan Information Environment Research Center, Doublethink Lab, and the Taiwan FactCheck Center offer guides, educational outreach, and digital literacy tools. However, without broader support, their reach remains uneven across Taiwan.

“Taiwan now requires sustained public investment not only to embed these tools into the national curriculum but to empower the civil society organizations behind them,” noted a digital education advocate.

As Lai Ting-Ming, chair of the Taiwan FactCheck Center, emphasized: “Do not treat media literacy as an activity, but as a movement. It must start with oneself, and the most important factor is whether you put your heart into it.”