- New research exploring teenagers’ in Edinburgh perceptions of fake news
- Research reveals 48%of teens in Edinburgh say they have fallen for fake news before.
- 23% of Edinburgh teens think fake news refers to things Donald Trump claims to be untrue
- Vodafone’s Digital Parenting magazine has released advice for families on how to tackle fake news: www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting/rollup-fakenews.
Vodafone UK has published new research exploring teenagers’ perceptions of ‘fake news’, misinformation and the reliability of the information they find online.
Almost a half (48%) of teenagers in Edinburgh have fallen for fake news and 47% of teenagers surveyed said they were more aware of fake news in 2020 compared to previous years. Vodafone has released tips for parents and children on how to deal with fake news on its Digital Parenting hub.
The research shows that young people in Edinburgh are regularly exposed to fake news, with teenagers reporting to see fake stories an average of 12 times per month, and 23% believing they think they see fake news every day.
Perceptions around fake news
Three in four (73%) of teenagers in Edinburgh correctly identified fake news as ‘misleading information which is presented as news and spread online’.
However, wider perceptions around fake news indicate a lack of comprehensive understanding on the subject – with 23% thinking fake news refers to ‘things Donald Trump claims to be untrue’.
Topics of fake news
With the spread of misinformation reaching new highs last year,the research highlights key topics of fake news in 2020 for Edinburgh teens: Covid-19 and the vaccine (50%), Celebrities (40%), Donald Trump (37%), the end of the world (27%) and the UK lockdowns (20%)
Identifying fake news
Just half (57%) of teenagers in Edinburgh think they can distinguish fake news from the truth. However, the research indicates that tech-savvy teens are using their digital skills to spot the real from the fake, and almost a half (47%) of teenagers in Edinburgh think they are better equipped to spot fake news than their parents.
Main sources of fake news
Predictably, four in five (80%) in Edinburgh reported seeing the most fake news on social media platforms – far higher than on news websites (13%).
Combating fake news
Encouragingly, 17% of teenagers in Edinburgh say someone has taught them how to spot and report fake news and combat misinformation, with this person most likely to be a parent (80%), or a teacher (40%). And, 20% have learnt how to spot fake news using an online resource.
Helen Lamprell, General Counsel and External Affairs Director, Vodafone UK, said: “It’s clear from our research that fake news amongst Edinburgh teens is a widespread issue – and is not going away with Donald Trump.
“It’s so important to educate everyone on the importance of safety online and how to identify fake news. Our Vodafone Digital Parenting Hub has useful resources and advice for what to watch out for and how best to tackle it.”
Emma Robertson from Digital Awareness UK, said: “Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen a dramatic and worrying spike in the number of young people and their families being exposed to fake news and scams.
“Many of us are being inundated with false information about vaccinations, miraculous COVID-19 cures, politics and so on. It’s critical that young people have the digital skills they need to spot fake news and really think about whether the information we are seeing online could be misinformation or disinformation.
“Fake news reportedly spreads six times faster than real news, so it’s up to all of us to help others identify it and think twice before sharing.”
Vodafone’s Digital Parenting Tips – Five ways to spot fake news
To avoid being tricked by fake news, ask your child to consider these questions:
- Is it being reported elsewhere – have you seen this story in other places e.g. on TV or radio?
- Is the site name normal – do you trust the website where you saw this story? Check the URL: it should have .org or .com or .co.uk at the end, not an unusual jumble of letters.
- Do the photos and videos look accurate or could they be photoshopped?
- Headlines matter – but so does content: read the entire piece before you share a story to be sure it’s an article you are happy to endorse.
- If you’re unsure – ask a trusted adult for a view.
For more advice on navigating fake news, visit:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting/rollup-fakenews
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