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Young Spanish Adults and Disinformation: Do They Identify and Spread Fake News and Are They Literate in It?

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  • Aida María de Vicente Domínguez

    (Department of Journalism, University of Malaga, 29100 Málaga, Spain)

  • Ana Beriain Bañares

    (Department of Communication, Universitat Abat Oliba CEU, CEU Universities, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Javier Sierra Sánchez

    (Department of Applied Communication Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The infodiet of young Spanish adults aged 18 to 25 was analysed to determine their attitude towards fake news. The objectives were: to establish whether they have received any training in fake news; to determine whether they know how to identify fake information; and to investigate whether they spread it. The study employed a descriptive quantitative method consisting of a survey of 500 representative interviews of the Spanish population aged between 18 and 25 through a structured questionnaire. The results indicate that they are aware of the importance of training, although generally they do not know of any course and when they do, they do not tend to enroll on one either due to lack of interest or time. These young adults feel that they know how to identify fake content and, moreover, that they know how to do so very well. However, they do not use the best tools. While they do not always verify information, they mainly suspect the credibility of information when it is meaningless. However, they do not tend to spread fake information. We conclude that media information literacy training (MILT) is necessary in educational centres that focuses on the main issues identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Aida María de Vicente Domínguez & Ana Beriain Bañares & Javier Sierra Sánchez, 2021. "Young Spanish Adults and Disinformation: Do They Identify and Spread Fake News and Are They Literate in It?," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jpubli:v:9:y:2021:i:1:p:2-:d:477046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bertin Martens & Luis Aguiar & Estrella Gomez Herrera & Frank Muller, 2018. "The digital transformation of news media and the rise of disinformation and fake news," JRC Working Papers on Digital Economy 2018-02, Joint Research Centre.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Padovano & Pauline Mille, 2022. "Education, fake news and the PBC," Economics Working Paper from Condorcet Center for political Economy at CREM-CNRS 2022-01-ccr, Condorcet Center for political Economy.
    2. David Blanco-Herrero & Javier J. Amores & Patricia Sánchez-Holgado, 2021. "Citizen Perceptions of Fake News in Spain: Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Ideological Differences," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Andrea Beatriz Damico & Margherita Masi & José María Aulicino & Yari Vecchio & Jorgelina Di Pasquale, 2022. "The Knowledge and Perception of Sustainability in Livestock Systems: Evidence from Future Professionals in Italy and Argentina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, December.

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    Keywords

    fake news; young adults; Spain;
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