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Disinformation, Fact-Checking and Civic Responsibility
  • ISSN: 1757-1898
  • E-ISSN: 1757-1901

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the perspectives of children and young people about disinformation and news consumption. Based on the inputs of participants and their own perceptions on the matter we explore how the disinformation phenomenon is present in their daily lives, the different ways they experience and perceive its potential impact on society, as well as strategies adopted to tackle it. The analysis is based on data obtained from 38 focus groups held with 257 children and young people attending sixth (11–13 years old), ninth (14–16 years old) and twelfth (17–20 years old) grades in public schools in mainland Portugal. Results indicated that they have access to news regularly; however, it is not pursued to fulfil a particular purpose. Televised news constitutes the main source of news consumption. News broadcasted on TV are perceived as the most reliable source if compared to online information and social networks, which are considered more susceptible to fake news, although responses indicated that children and youth do not analyse information thoroughly. Disinformation is a relatively familiar issue for a portion of the participants but is seen as neither a problem nor a concern. There is a weak awareness about the impacts and consequences of this phenomenon, although there are differences according to age.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology
© 2024 Intellect Ltd
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/content/journals/10.1386/cjcs_00108_1
2024-12-10
2025-06-15
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/content/journals/10.1386/cjcs_00108_1
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Children and young people’s views on disinformation: A qualitative study from Portugal
Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies 16, 177 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1386/cjcs_00108_1
/content/journals/10.1386/cjcs_00108_1
/content/journals/10.1386/cjcs_00108_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): fake news; false information; media literacy; misinformation; news consumption; news literacy; young generation

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