In the digital information age, social media has become a primary source of news and information for young people. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok offer instant access to a wide range of content, from news to entertainment. However, this easy access has also given rise to a worrying phenomenon: fake news.
Social networks have revolutionized the way in which young people access information. They no longer rely exclusively on traditional media, such as newspapers and television channels, to stay up to date with the news. Instead, they turn to their social media feeds to get the latest updates on current events and trends.
And no wonder. In fact, according to a study carried out by the University of Oxford, Indonesia (90%), Australia (89%), Spain and France (both with 86%) are the countries where there is the greatest presence of media outlets with active accounts in TikTok. Most of them are traditional media that have diversified their audiovisual format. And the informative relevance of TikTok is a growing trend. This platform, since 2020, is the most downloaded in the world, being a reference for younger users.
From dances to relevant information about the war in Ukraine. 40% of people between 18 and 24 years old get their information through social networks, this was stated by Google Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan at the international Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference. In fact, according to a study carried out by America Retail, it states that 80% of young people from Generation Z get their information from TikTok and 43% consume content from this platform.
This change in the way we inform ourselves has democratized access to information, allowing a variety of voices and perspectives to be heard. However, it has also created an environment in which fake news can spread quickly and unchecked.
Fake news is misleading information designed to appear true and spread primarily through social media platforms. They can cover a wide range of topics, from political events to health and science. These fake news can have serious consequences, especially since Artificial Intelligence has come into play.
It is essential that young people learn to identify and question the news they find online. Some warning signs that a news story may be fake include:
Furthermore, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence has made the identification of this type of news even more complicated. From false information to manipulated videos, right now the technological world seems to have no limits, which forces us to be even more careful about what we consume and what information we believe. In addition to generating the need to create software that identifies fake videos from real ones.
Social media has transformed the way young people access information, offering unprecedented opportunities to connect and learn. However, this unlimited access also presents challenges, such as the spread of fake news. By learning to identify and combat them, young people can take an active role in protecting the integrity of online information and building a safer, more trustworthy digital world.
