The study found out the differences between 15-19-year-old girls and boys in their attitude towards fake news. Only a very small proportion of all respondents admitted to spreading fake news.
Girls and boys react differently to fake news.
In a study conducted last year, gender differences were investigated in the processing of fake news and websites. 600 15-19-year-olds were interviewed for the study carried out by the University of Jyväskylä.
Young men who enjoy themselves online and on social media may easily succumb to fake news, even if they recognize it in their own minds.
However, there was a clear difference between the sexes in how respondents reacted to identified fake news or reported trolling.
Girls leave fake news sites more easily than boys, they also say that they discuss them with others. Boys, on the other hand, may stay in online environments, even though they detect trolling in them, and do not say that they seek help evaluating the news as often as girls.
– From this it can be concluded that boys probably have more confidence in their own abilities to detect and deal with fake news, the researcher estimates.
Young people are confident they can spot fake news
A total of 90 percent of the respondents of the study at the University of Jyväskylä trusted their own abilities to spot fake news.
Terhi-Anna Wilska’s research is a continuation of her study of young people’s agency and trust in social media \\
According to several sources, young people’s confidence in their own abilities to distinguish reliable information from fake news is high. According to a study by the National Defense University, 91.8 percent of 15-19-year-olds believed they could notice the difference.
Confidence in information shared on social media was increased by, among other things, faith in traditional media, active following of social media and social media influencers, and the perception that the more support it has received, the more reliable the news is.
Digital skills are needed, but the gap between young people is feared to be deepening
At the same time, when digital literacy and literacy are more important than ever, the digital marginalization of young people worries youth professionals.
Among other things, Verke, the Competence Center for Digital Youth Work, wants to draw attention to the fact that not all young people have the skills or desire to acquire skills or tools to work in digital environments.
For example, many entry-level professions and jobs may disappear with the spread of robotics and artificial intelligence.
– Many young people will not necessarily be employed in expert positions, but would rather work in a warehouse or trade or similar positions. There are a lot of things here that require decision-makers to have the wisdom to see the penalties, he sums up.