Assessment: Individuals self-evaluate their digital media proficiency as moderately competent

A Glimpse at Digital Users' Media Literacy Across Ages: Bitkom's Survey Insights

Assessment Reports: Internet Users Report Moderate Media Literacy Skills - Assessment: Individuals self-evaluate their digital media proficiency as moderately competent

Looks like the digital world isn't as savvy as we'd like to believe when it comes to spotting misinformation and bogus news. According to a recent survey by Bitkom, roughly a quarter of internet users globally are confident in their abilities to distinguish online misinformation, with this confidence particularly scarce among the older demographic (75 and above).

Young 'uns between the ages of 16 and 29 fare slightly better, but that still only amounts to a third who claim to be skilled at recognizing BS news floating around on the internet. As for spotting tampered images or videos, even the young'uns come up short, with only about a quarter (22%) adept at this skill.

When it comes to checking the accuracy of online information before blindly sharing it, 44% of respondents are cautious. Among the 16-29 age group, that number jumps to 48%, while it takes a significant dip among the older population (75+) at 36%. And here's the real kicker: half of all respondents admitted to getting duped by deepfakes at some point.

Bernhard Rohleder, CEO of Bitkom, emphasized the need for digital users to be able to navigate the online landscape safely and responsibly. He argued that media literacy is a vital foundation for self-determination and active participation in the digital sphere. Rohleder also highlighted the damage caused by disinformation propagated on the internet.

To fully appreciate the digital landscape's ins and outs, users must be able to recognize potential misinformation, ask critical questions, and verify their sources. The survey questioned 1003 people aged 16 and above, with 933 of them regular internet users.

Key Insights:

• Media literacy is essential for self-determination in the digital age.
• Disinformation and fake news can cause significant damage on the internet.
• Recognizing and safely navigating misinformation is crucial for responsible online participation.
• Younger users generally exhibit slightly better media literacy skills, but these skills are still lacking overall.
• Older users often struggle with recognizing misinformation, with only 7% claiming they can identify fake news.
• The survey found that roughly half of all respondents have fallen for a deepfake at some point.
• Checking the accuracy of online information before sharing it is an important practice, even if not widespread among all age groups.

Community policy should address the education and self-development of individuals in the digital age, emphasizing media literacy as a crucial foundation for self-determination and responsible online participation. Employment policy, in technology-based industries, could consider incorporating digital media literacy skills in job requirements to foster safe and informed usage of the internet. General news coverage should highlight the consequences of disinformation propagated on the internet and promote the importance of critical thinking, accurate source verification, and the ability to spot misinformation within the lifestyle of today's digital users.

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