Responsible Communication on Social Media: University Students’ Perceptions of Ethical Sharing, Verification Practices, and Cultural Sensitivity in Vietnam

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media has transformed how university students access, interpret, and share information. While digital platforms create opportunities for participation, dialogue, and community engagement, they also raise concerns about misinformation, hate speech, privacy violations, cultural insensitivity, and irresponsible content sharing. This study investigates university students’ perceptions of responsible communication on social media in Vietnam, with particular attention to ethical sharing behavior, information verification practices, and cultural sensitivity. A mixed-methods design was adopted using a structured questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. The survey included closed-ended questions measuring students’ social media use, perceived responsibility, verification behavior, and concerns, as well as open-ended questions exploring their experiences and suggestions. Data from an illustrative pilot sample of 160 university students were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings suggest that students recognize the importance of responsible communication, especially when sharing news, sensitive social issues, cultural content, and personal information. Many students reported checking information before sharing, avoiding offensive language, and considering potential impacts on others. However, challenges remain, including emotional sharing, limited fact-checking habits, peer pressure, algorithm-driven exposure, and uncertainty about source credibility. The study highlights the need for media literacy education, ethical communication guidelines, and university-level training on responsible digital citizenship. The findings contribute to discussions on communication ethics, youth digital culture, and responsible participation in networked public spaces.