Vaccinating Users against the Hypodermic Needle Theory of Social Media: Libraries and Improving Media Literacy

The hypodermic needle theory is a prominent theory in social media that affects the understanding, attitudes, and behavior of individuals. In this viewpoint, media is a powerful and dangerous source because the user or audience is vulnerable against the effect of a certain message. In this study, we assess the relationship between this theory in the field of information technology with two person-centered approaches of constructionist or discourse analytic approach and the critical theory approach. Moreover, the libraries’ role in vaccinating users against this theory by increasing their knowledge is shown.