Digital Literacy and Hoax Detection among Deaf Individuals: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital technologies and social media platforms has significantly increased public access to information while simultaneously intensifying the spread of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and hoaxes. These challenges are particularly critical for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals, who often encounter accessibility barriers when accessing, interpreting, and verifying digital information. Consequently, digital literacy and hoax detection have emerged as essential competencies for promoting informed decision-making and equitable participation in digital society. This study aims to systematically review the existing literature on digital literacy and hoax detection among deaf individuals by examining research trends and characteristics, identifying strategies and interventions that support digital literacy and misinformation detection, and exploring the accessibility challenges faced by DHH populations in evaluating digital information. This study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. Articles were retrieved from the Scopus database using a predefined search strategy covering the period from 2015 to 2025. Following the screening and eligibility process, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The findings reveal a growing research interest in digital literacy, accessibility, and misinformation resilience among DHH individuals, particularly after 2022. The reviewed studies highlight the importance of media literacy programs, fact-checking practices, information verification training, social media literacy education, captioning systems, sign language-based communication, accessibility technologies, and inclusive digital platforms. However, persistent barriers remain, including limited access to sign language resources, inadequate accessibility features, communication challenges, digital literacy gaps, and difficulties in verifying information. The review concludes that effective hoax detection among deaf individuals requires an integrated approach combining digital literacy education, accessible communication, inclusive technology design, and supportive policy frameworks to ensure equitable participation in the digital information ecosystem.