The goal of the HoDeKoProM project was to map the perception of disinformation, hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and propaganda among youth aged 13-25 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The project aimed to identify the factors that influence youth’s ability to distinguish between true and false information. Another objective was to create a Czech-Slovak platform for experts that would systematically analyze needs and provide an overview of preventive programs (in the Czech Republic/Slovakia) in the area of HoDeKoPro. The created platform was intended to ensure collaboration among experts from various fields, including psychology, social anthropology, media studies, as well as non-profit organizations and low-threshold centers for children and youth, facilitating the exchange of knowledge between these sectors. Thanks to the implementation of the project, we were able to organize an international HoDeKoProM conference, attended by 120 participants from various fields. Last but not least, we consider the publication of the final report with research results and the release of an (online) journal to be a significant contribution to the general public.
The Project was designed based on alarming findings regarding the impact of disinformation, hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and propaganda (HoDeKoPro) on young people. Survey results, such as those from Globsec Trends 2022 and a survey conducted by IUVENTA in 2022, confirmed that 51% of young people regularly encounter disinformation. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the youth's susceptibility to hoaxes, which negatively affected their mental health and critical thinking abilities. Scientific studies, such as the research from the British Safer Internet Centre and the British Journal of Developmental Psychology (https://saferinternet.org.uk/research-highlight-series), described media use and the attitudes of children and parents (Ofcom, 2022). In Slovakia, we lacked similar types of data. The goal of our project was to gain deeper insights into the perception of HoDeKoPro. The topic is broad, intersecting with the field of education, social work, and psychology, which is why a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach has been important. A contribution to the project was collaboration with partners from Masaryk University (Brno, CZE), creating a space for sharing expertise from other fields (e.g., media studies and journalism).