The covid-19 pandemic, which rapidly escalated into a global health crisis at the end of 2019, significantly affected various aspects of everyday life. Individuals were forced to adapt to new routines, including movement restrictions, the use of protective equipment, remote work, and social distancing, reshaping personal, social, and professional spheres. This master’s thesis examines the influence of social media on young people’s decisions regarding covid-19 vaccination. The pandemic highlighted the crucial role of digital media in information dissemination, which often led to an increase in misinformation and conspiracy theories. Using descriptive analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation test, we conducted a secondary data analysis and examined four proposed hypotheses related to trust in various sources of information, support for conspiracy theories, and the intention to get vaccinated. The findings show that young people who trust verified sources (e.g., science, health institutions) are more likely to have a positive attitude toward vaccination. In contrast, trust in social media as a source of information increases susceptibility to conspiracy theories and reduces the willingness to get vaccinated. Effects such as echo chambers and infodemic further hinder access to reliable information. The results emphasize the need for targeted communication strategies and stronger digital and health literacy among young people. This group, being both the most active users of social media and the most hesitant toward vaccination, represents a particularly vulnerable population.
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