NJOMACS

This study examines information consumerism by social media users and how they deploy self-censorship to guard themselves from potential information overload and misleading information using the survey design with a sample size of 400; we examined digital online audience in Benue State, in central Nigeria and their mode of engagement with digital content. Findings from this study show that audience spend nearly four hours on a daily basis interacting with family and friends as well as filling their news and information needs on digital spaces and social media. Facebook and WhatsApp top the list of the most used platforms. User deploy available tools of blocking, un-follow and muting to refrain themselves from accounts perceived not to be reliable in news and information dissemination. This study revealed that people are more likely to engage in information consumption, focusing on absorbing information rather than sharing it. Social media users engage in self-censorship when they find the information or content to be unreliable, thus, self-restricting from certain content. This study therefore call on social media platforms to increase monitoring, supervising and guard against content that may violate community standard.