ACMJ Article

Abstract

In today's digital age, headlines play a crucial role in shaping how people consume news. This study aims to explore the impact of clickbait on the media habits of Kubwa's residents. The descriptive design was adopted for the study. The research gathers data from 400 Kubwa residents through a structured questionnaire. A comprehensive review of existing literature covers studies on clickbait effects on user responses, political media selection, and its role in viral journalism. The theory was anchored on the agenda setting theory. Findings from the data analysis show a high awareness of clickbait among Kubwa residents, with many relying on social media for news. Perceptions about the reliability of social media, influenced by residency duration, play a key role in shaping news consumption. While clickbait headlines enhance news source credibility, concerns about misinformation and trust erosion persist. The study emphasizes the significant role of clickbait in shaping public opinion and determining viral news stories on social media. Consequently, the study recommended increase media literacy programs, implementation of media ethic guidelines and training programs for journalists to promote responsible reporting and mitigate the negative influence of clickbait on news consumption in Kubwa.

INFLUENCE OF CLICKBAIT HEADLINES ON NEWS CONSUMPTION AMONG KUBWA RESIDENTS IN ABUJA, 2026, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 83-91. PDF