description of research
Purpose
The state of our information ecosystem has shifted astronomically over the last decade. Growing up in the era of social media, Generation Z (Gen Z) is often believed to be immune to the spread of false information–savvy enough to chase down the origins of a viral story or search for further context. This study works to better understand Gen Z's perception and navigation of misinformation online, and determine if they really are well-equipped to care about, handle, and act on it.
Preliminary Findings
- Gen Z is overconfident in their understanding of misinformation on social media and undereducated in their approach and recognition of its complexities
- A majority of Gen Z are unable to label specific types of misinformation (e.g. false context or imposter content)
- Gen Z tend to consume information that agrees with their personal views, making them vulnerable to accepting misinformation without realizing it
vIDEO OVERVIEW
ABOUT THE RESEARCHER
Aysha Anwar
Aysha Anwar is a fourth-year Communications, Public Relations and Politics student at Ryerson University. She is a writer, dreamer, and friend—intrigued by the intersections of digital media, community building, and empathy-driven strategy. Prior to joining IBM Canada as a Communications Intern, Aysha worked with the Ontario Public Service, Ryerson Leadership Lab, and House of Commons in various capacities. She is a member of the City of Vaughan’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and an active volunteer with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Keep up with her on Twitter.