International Journalists’ Network
Unsurprisingly, 96% of Europe’s young people, those aged 16 to 24, use the internet daily. As shown by the Digital News Report, the younger demographic is relying more on social platforms for their news than news websites. Such online spaces are a battleground of many false and misleading information with around 47% of EU citizens coming across untrue and doubtful information on social media and online news sites. 

Joyce Vissenberg, a researcher from KU Leuven says, “It is, indeed, on social media platforms that misinformation and disinformation are shared the most, so it is logical to have concerns about children and young people’s exposure to mis- and disinformation.”

“Having digital skills is becoming increasingly important in today’s digital society, especially for digital inclusion,” Vissenberg adds. “Lacking digital skills can lead to reduced opportunities for participation.”

On the occasion of Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2023 hosted by UNESCO, The Fix looks into ways media literacy can be improved among Europe’s young people. As Vissenberg describes, “While media literacy cannot prevent young people from being exposed to false information online, it is very valuable in safeguarding them from believing and being deceived by false information.” MORE