Media Education and Generative AI Usage Experience as Predictors of Trust in Information Sources and Active News Use: The Mediating Role of Perceived Importance of Generative AI

Key Points

• This research aims to explore the influence of media education and generative AI use on the importance perceived by teens regarding generative AI and its effects on trust in information sources.
• Utilized data from the Korean Media Institute's study on digital native adolescents (N = 2,674).
• Analyzed the impact of media education and generative AI experiences on perceived importance and trust.
• Examined mediation effects of perceived importance on trust in traditional information sources and active news use.
• Both media education and generative AI experiences significantly increased perceived importance of generative AI.
• Perceived importance of generative AI significantly increased trust in journalists and professionals, as well as active news use.
• Media education and generative AI experiences affected trust and active news use through mediation by perceived importance.