RELIGIOUS NARRATIVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND COGNITIVE DISSONANCE AMONG YOUTH

Abstract

This study examines the growing reliance on social media and the increasing exposure to religious narratives to assess their psychological impact, measure cognitive dissonance, and explore the reactions and resolution strategies employed by youth. A structured questionnaire and a quantitative research design were used, with data collected through convenience and purposive sampling methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS to account for the quantitative nature of the study. Young people, frequently exposed to unverified religious content on digital platforms, remain the focus, making them vulnerable to internal psychological conflict. Findings reveal that older youth, compared to younger groups, are more likely to experience anger when encountering religious information or narratives that contradict their beliefs. Respondents from rural areas expressed stronger emotional reactions such as anger and discomfort, while urban youth reported higher levels of anxiety in similar situations. Overall, the analysis shows that regardless of gender, background, or education, youngest people experience cognitive dissonance due to the constant bombardment of conflicting religious content on social media. The results further indicate that exposure to such content triggers unease, rage, tension, and anxiety, highlighting the significant role of digital religious material in shaping psychological distress and dissonance among youth. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of media consumption, religious narratives, and psychological well-being, and it underscores the need for media literacy and critical digital engagement to mitigate the adverse effects of unverified religious content.