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Youth in the Era of Fake News: Education and Counteraction

2026-1-PL01-KA152-YOU-0003965132026Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: PL|LT|HU|RO · Grant: €33,905
Media literacy and tackling disinformationDigital skills and competencesBasic skills and key competences

Objectives

Fake news is an increasing problem that experts are increasingly alerting us about. It is particularly concerning that many young people share false information without questioning its reliability. This issue stems from a lack of critical thinking skills and source verification. In an era of information overload, it is easy to be misled by false content, which can negatively impact our lives and the functioning of democracy. In 2024, the average time young people spend online is between 3 to 7 hours a day. This increase is associated with the rapid development of technology and social media, which influence young people's daily lives. However, alongside the benefits of modern technology, there are serious challenges such as the rise of misinformation, online hate, and the decline of genuine human interactions. As young people, we are alarmed by the fact that so many of our peers fall into the trap of fake news. Although this topic is becoming more popular in formal education, there are still few lessons that teach us how to recognize and counteract such misinformation. Today, we have access to an endless amount of information from around the world. However, this surplus creates a challenge that requires an appropriate approach to prevent its negative impact on society. We are still inundated with unprocessed or deliberately false news that spreads through the internet and social media. Traditional media, such as television or print, increasingly loses credibility in the eyes of young people who see them as driven by political, religious, or economic interests. As a result, young people turn to online alternatives, which only exacerbates the problem of misinformation. Our goal in this project is not only to better understand what misinformation is but also to develop skills for verifying information. We want young people to become more aware of the content they consume and share, as well as to understand how easily false information can be unknowingly spread. Through various workshops and educational activities, participants will learn how to critically evaluate information, better understand manipulation mechanisms, and become responsible social media users. The project aims to develop not only critical thinking skills but also to build society's resilience to fake news. We want young people to be able to recognize misinformation, compare different sources, and make more informed decisions about what they publish and share online. We will also increase their engagement in democratic life, showing that responsible media use is key to building a strong and aware civic community. Participants will have a unique opportunity to enhance their skills through a participatory approach, which not only develops cognitive competencies but also strengthens personal and social responsibility. This approach will become a crucial element in building a modern, pluralistic society that can effectively address the challenges of the contemporary information era. In summary: Problems and Needs: - The increasing influence of fake news: False information spreads quickly online, leading to mistaken beliefs and decisions. Younger generations, spending many hours online, are particularly vulnerable to this issue. - Lack of critical thinking skills: The rise in fake news and online hate highlights the need to develop analytical and critical thinking skills among young people. Project Goals: - Raising awareness among young people about the mechanisms of spreading fake news and online hate. Participants will gain skills in evaluating the credibility of information and recognizing and counteracting hate. - Through workshops, debates, and practical activities, the project aims to develop participants' analytical abilities, helping them better assess information and avoid manipulation and negative online interactions. - Participants will have the opportunity to deepen genuine social interactions by sharing experiences, co-creating workshops, and participating in group activities, which will contribute to building healthy social bonds. - The project will enable young people to exchange experiences with peers from other countries, enriching their perspective and understanding of global challenges related to misinformation. - Creating a joint campaign to counteract fake news and generating ideas for new projects.

Project partners (4)