In a Eurobarometer survey conducted among young people between 16 and 30 years of age in Europe, 76% claim to have been exposed to disinformation and fake news, we learn from BTA. In nine of the member states, more than half of young people report that this happens "often" or "very often". At the same time, 42% of them get their information from social networks, with those between 16 and 18 years old being more likely to seek such information, while older people (between 25 and 30 years old) still prefer television, radio and online news platforms.

According to Stoycho Bosev from the sociological agency Alpha Research, susceptibility to disinformation is also directly related to age.

"We can certainly say that young people are susceptible to disinformation for several reasons. On the one hand, there are the information sources that are used, and on the other - the content itself that attracts their attention, as well as the way it is structured."

Alexey Pamporov from the Institute of Sociology and Philosophy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences claims that the problem of finding reliable information in Bulgaria is related to the legacy we carry from the former totalitarian regime, and today it is further aggravated by the disinformation spread on social networks.

"There can be uncontrolled production of news, i.e. a large volume of fake and untrue news, which allows for easier ideologizing of the discourse, distortion and influencing of public opinion," he explains in an interview with BTA. "The same news is reposted, repeated and amplified. In Bulgaria, media circles are clearly visible in social media. They help each other and rely on specific audiences. The result is that you are in the so-called "bubble", i.e. you stand there and think that this is the only truth. 

But in Bulgaria we also have another serious problem and I think that it will continue to deepen with the new amendments and reforms that are supposedly being made in education. Our education system is deeply ideologized in almost all subjects! This is our heavy legacy from the totalitarian regime, in which there was a single truth and it had to be reproduced, instead of encouraging critical thinking. Someone may not like Vazov, another - Botev, but it is not encouraged. that students should'explain what they dont like, to build an argument and to think. We lack the ability to think critically, we have an ideological mindset and this hinders us. We are used to having one truth and being afraid of it."

Today, artificial intelligence is increasingly entering our personal space. However, are young people using AI applications to access information?

"Artificial intelligence has recently been entering the global stage, and in Bulgaria - at a fairly accelerated pace," Stoycho Bosev from Alpha Research told BTA, adding:

"Artificial intelligence is also used very often as a means of information. This is also valid for young people. Alpha Research recently published a study, and the results show that young people are the most active users of generative AI applications. Most often, it is ChatGPT, but in Europe every third young person uses such applications, and in Bulgaria they are 13%, which shows much greater activity. At this stage, however, both younger and older people turn to it primarily for personal purposes, and not for work and goals related to work and education."

"Information practices have shifted enormously over the past decade, and this certainly affects the level of information. Most adults still turn to television - nearly 80%, unlike the younger people.. The nationwide survey shows that online sources are also present, but they still remain in the background - 55% use Internet sites, and about 40% use social networks. But the daily life of young people is increasingly moving towards an online environment, and we have every reason to believe that this trend will continue, as they begin to enter a more mature age."

Alexey Pamporov from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences warns about the risk of informing oneself through social media, which in most cases are niche politically oriented, and the problem of the lack of control over content further increases the possibility of spreading disinformation.

Photos: BTA, Pexels, alpharesearch.bg