Poles Struggle to Identify Fake News, Especially Younger Generation

A comprehensive study titled “Are Poles Not Fooled by Disinformation?” has revealed that a significant majority of Polish citizens have trouble identifying fake news on social media platforms, with younger generations particularly vulnerable to misleading content.

The research, conducted by NASK in partnership with the Association of Digital Transformation Practitioners (Praktycy.eu), surveyed 850 adult Poles in mid-December 2023. The findings paint a concerning picture of digital literacy across different demographic groups in Poland.

“No society is completely immune to false information. We are not as immune to disinformation as we sometimes perceive ourselves to be,” explained Michał Marek, Head of the External Threat Analysis Team at NASK. He identified political and ideological polarization as key factors making Poles susceptible to misinformation campaigns, particularly regarding contentious topics like U.S. politics, support for Ukraine, and domestic policy debates.

The study uncovered a significant awareness gap, with 42% of respondents uncertain whether they had encountered false information online, while 36% couldn’t determine if they had ever been misled by disinformation. Popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube were identified as primary vectors, with 45% of participants reporting frequent exposure to fake news on these sites. One in five Poles reported daily exposure to deliberately misleading content.

Generation Z (ages 18-24) demonstrated the greatest vulnerability, with 58% expressing uncertainty about their ability to identify fake news. Among this age group, 44% were unsure if they had ever been deceived by misleading content, while only 5% claimed to rarely or never encounter disinformation on social media.

In contrast, respondents over 65 showed different patterns. While 29% acknowledged difficulty recognizing false content, only 3% admitted to being misled by it. Approximately 20% of seniors claimed to rarely or never encounter disinformation. This suggests different levels of exposure and susceptibility across age demographics, with platform preferences playing a significant role.

“For young people, this would primarily be TikTok, while for those over 50, it would be Facebook,” Marek noted, highlighting how different age groups encounter misinformation through distinct channels and formats.

Despite widespread exposure, the study revealed a confidence paradox: 39% of respondents believed they had rarely or never fallen victim to misleading content. Marek cautioned that this confidence might be misplaced, as disinformation is increasingly sophisticated and designed to exploit cognitive biases.

“People do not even know when they are being manipulated by fake news. It can lead to subliminal manipulation, causing them to perceive their own country as a hostile, threatening entity,” he explained. This manifests in conspiracy-driven social media groups that blend alarming narratives about impending disasters with innocuous content, creating a deceptive sense of credibility.

Educational attainment offered only partial protection against misinformation. While university graduates were more likely to recognize fake news, they were influenced by it at similar rates (25%) as those with only primary education. “Education matters, but I wouldn’t consider it a 100% determining factor,” Marek observed, though he acknowledged that stronger language skills associated with higher education levels can enhance information verification abilities.

Emotional well-being emerged as a crucial factor in resilience against misinformation. Individuals experiencing financial hardship or emotional distress showed greater vulnerability to misleading content, while those in positive emotional states demonstrated better ability to regulate reactions and verify information during crises.

The research also assessed media literacy regarding visual content. Only 9% of participants expressed confidence in their ability to identify authentic images versus AI-generated or manipulated ones. Older adults reported the greatest uncertainty, with 57% of respondents over 65 unable to assess their ability to distinguish real from artificial images.

Marek emphasized practical strategies for combating disinformation: “When we encounter alarming information online, we should not share it, like it, or tell friends about it unless we are certain the crisis has actually occurred. It’s better to wait for official announcements. Common sense and emotional control are key.”

The Association of Digital Transformation Practitioners, which commissioned the study, was established in 2024 by former executives from Poland’s major media outlets to support journalists navigating the evolving digital landscape. Their research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between age, education, emotional state, and susceptibility to online misinformation.