Disinformation by Design Disinformation by Design: A Typology-Sensitive Analysis of Social Media Content and Vulnerability in Nigeria

Temitope Francis

doi:10.18290/rns2026.0007

Published : 2026-02-25

No. Online First

Disinformation by Design Disinformation by Design: A Typology-Sensitive Analysis of Social Media Content and Vulnerability in Nigeria

Temitope Francis

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4021-8265

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/rns2026.0007

Abstract

This conceptual study explores how distinct types of social media content contribute to the spread of disinformation in Nigeria. It focuses on thematic categories such as personal, political, health-related, marketing, sensational, and event-specific content. The study examines how each type interacts with user interpretation and platform dynamics. Drawing on communication theory, cultural reception studies, and platform analysis, the paper proposes a typology-sensitive framework that explains disinformation as the result of overlapping factors including content form, emotional salience, cultural familiarity, and algorithmic amplification. Rather than attributing disinformation solely to false content or user illiteracy, the analysis highlights how trust, relevance, and interpretive norms frame what social media users believe and share. Through contextual illustrations such as recent protest movements, the paper underscores the need for culturally grounded media literacy that is responsive to content type, audience context, and digital infrastructure. The framework offers a locally informed foundation for future research and educational interventions aimed at addressing disinformation in high-choice, low-literacy environments.

Keywords:

disinformation, social media platform, content typology, cultural interpretation, Nigeria

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Francis, T. (2026). Disinformation by Design Disinformation by Design: A Typology-Sensitive Analysis of Social Media Content and Vulnerability in Nigeria. Roczniki Nauk Społecznych, (Online First). https://doi.org/10.18290/rns2026.0007

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Temitope Francis

temitope.francis@uwm.edu.pl
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4021-8265

Affiliation:

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Doctoral School Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Temitope Desmond Francis is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Social Communication and Media at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. His research focuses on media studies, with particular emphasis on social media, disinformation, public relations and cultural representation. He examines solutions to disinformation, protection of cultural identity and the role of communication technologies in shaping public discourse, particularly in Nigeria and more broadly in the Global South. His work aims to create credible media environments and promote intercultural understanding in an increasingly digital world.