Wexford Students Win Young Scientist Award for Social Media Misinformation Study

Three Bunclody students honored for groundbreaking social media research project

Three students from Bunclody Community College have received prestigious recognition for their innovative research project examining the overwhelming impact of social media information flows on society. Sam Bolger, Thomas Larkin, and Aaron Sharlott were awarded a Display Award for their project titled “The Firehose Effect” at a recent academic exhibition.

The project explores how individuals can become overwhelmed by the excessive and continuous flow of information, misinformation, and disinformation on social media platforms—a phenomenon that has become increasingly relevant in today’s digital landscape where content consumption continues to accelerate.

The students’ work stood out throughout the event for their thorough research, professional presentation, and engaging interaction with both visitors and judges, demonstrating exceptional communication skills alongside their academic insights.

In an interview during the exhibition, team member Sam Bolger revealed that the project was directly inspired by the Dublin Riots and his personal experience as an immigrant to Ireland. “Bunclody Community College is a heavily inclusive school and we have over 25 nationalities, and if you recall the riots on immigration a couple years back, most of our immigration population the next day in the school didn’t come in just for fear of their own safety. And I think that’s when it really clicked, that I needed to do something, whatever I could,” Bolger explained.

The achievement carries additional significance for Bolger, as he follows in the footsteps of his older sister Evie, who also qualified for the prestigious exhibition several years ago, creating a legacy of academic excellence within their family.

During the competition, the students had valuable opportunities to engage with several prominent figures in Irish politics and education. They met with TDs Malcolm Byrne and Brian Brennan, Assistant Director of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Dr. Theresa Tierney, and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. These interactions provided the students with important recognition of their work’s broader societal implications.

The project’s relevance comes at a critical time when social media’s influence on public discourse and opinion formation has become a major concern. With digital platforms increasingly serving as primary news sources for many citizens, the ability to critically evaluate information has never been more important. The “Firehose Effect” specifically addresses how the sheer volume and speed of content can overwhelm users’ critical thinking capacities, potentially making them more susceptible to misinformation.

The examination of social media’s impact on society has gained additional urgency following several incidents where online misinformation has been linked to real-world violence and civil unrest. The students’ project offers valuable insights into this phenomenon at a time when governments worldwide are grappling with how to regulate digital platforms and protect citizens from harmful content.

In recognition of their exceptional work and its relevance to contemporary social issues, the students have received an invitation to Leinster House, the seat of the Irish Parliament, to present their research findings to lawmakers—an extraordinary opportunity that highlights the significance of their work beyond the academic competition.

Paul Cahill, a teacher at Bunclody Community College, expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments, noting, “Sam, Thomas and Aaron were a true credit to Bunclody Community College throughout the competition. Congratulations to them on winning their Display Award and representing the school with such professionalism and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing what they achieve next.”

This recognition not only celebrates the students’ academic achievement but also underscores the importance of young people engaging critically with the digital information landscape that increasingly shapes public discourse and social cohesion.