Digital Skills and Digital Knowledge as Buffers Against Online Mis/Disinformation? Findings from a Survey Study Among Young People in Europe

Abstract

Digital skills and digital knowledge are often put forward as a potential solution protecting young people from being misled by mis/disinformation on social media. However, while previous research has repeatedly demonstrated the value of digital skills and digital knowledge for protecting young people from negative outcomes of their internet use, the state of the research regarding risks relating to exposure to online mis/disinformation remains scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by analyzing data from a large-scale survey among 5,482 young people aged 11 to 20 in five European countries: Estonia, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Portugal. The findings indicate the importance of differentiating between different digital skills dimensions. Fostering communication and interaction skills is particularly valuable in limiting mis/disinformation risks. Digital knowledge did not significantly predict mis/disinformation risks. The implications of these findings for future research and for practice are discussed.