Young people and false information: A scoping review of responses, influential factors, consequences, and prevention programs

Abstract

Today's digital landscape, marked by extensive use of information and communication technology, exposes young people to false information that shapes their perceptions of themselves and society. Yet, a comprehensive synthesis of research on false information among young people is lacking. This scoping review addressed this gap by exploring how young people respond to false information, the factors influencing their responses, the consequences of false information exposure, and existing prevention and intervention efforts. Out of 2255 identified records, 151 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies on young people aged 5 to 25 published before July 2024 were included. An adapted version of the Misinformation Recognition and Response Model was used to structure the findings. The analyses revealed that although young people often expressed high confidence in their judgments, they struggled to detect false information and respond passively – often ignoring rather than actively countering false information. Socio-demographic characteristics, cognitive biases, and social dynamics significantly shaped their responses. The consequences of these vulnerabilities were multifaceted, ranging from negative affective outcomes, such as confusion and fear, to broader societal impacts, including public disengagement and reduced political participation. To mitigate these risks, future strategies should focus on enhancing young people's ability to detect false information, empowering them to challenge false information actively, and increasing awareness of their own susceptibility. Furthermore, this review highlights ongoing challenges in the field, including methodological diversity, and the underrepresentation of minorities and younger children, underscoring the need for continued research to support young people growing up in a digitalized world.