The iQLANDIA science center in Liberec is an interactive educational institution that has been inspiring discovery in science and technology since 2014. It offers a variety of exhibitions and programs for children, young people, and adults, covering topics ranging from physics and chemistry to artificial intelligence and robotics. For schools, it provides specialized educational programs that complement the school curriculum and add an experiential dimension to learning. The programs are adapted to different age groups and cover topics such as media literacy, critical thinking, and working with digital technologies. Students can explore current issues such as misinformation and the use of artificial intelligence in education in a fun and interactive way.

There is a difference between someone spreading misinformation, disinformation, fake news, or conspiracy theories. Before accusing a person of being a hoaxer, it helps if we understand the nature of each term and the boundaries between them. Sometimes, the definition lies in the form itself, but we can (almost) always tell the difference based on the intent. To make these concepts easier to navigate, let’s illustrate them with a (gradually developing) example.

Data is all around us and with us, almost every moment of our life. In the digital age, we produce and use vast amounts of data. Does data mirror society and its complexity? Can the digital world offer hope for alternative solutions to inequality?

This Local Action case study presents how 30 students from Romania created an awareness campaign in which they informed and motivated their peers about the importance of voting. The campaign also focused on techniques for countering disinformation that young people could apply in their everyday lives.

In today's digital society, the spread of disinformation has become a significant threat to information security. Many people are exposed daily to misleading or incorrect information on social networks and in the media, making it crucial to learn how to identify fake facts. In order to protect against misinformation, various innovative solutions are being sought to prevent its spread. In this context, a game has been developed to help students strengthen their ability to analyze information, thus contributing to the overall improvement of information literacy in society.

"Chatbots fail to recognize human sensitivity, diversity, and values, which can lead to algorithmic errors. The real threat is allowing chatbots to make decisions for us," warns psychologist and psychotherapist Marija Stefanova.

In today’s society, influenced by social media, the lure of online trends can often lead to actions with dangerous consequences. TikTok is a social media platform where users can create, share, and watch short videos.

When it comes to reading, many opt for easy and enjoyable reads, but we have an excellent recommendation for those looking for something more profound.

“The Mirage of Truth: Complexities and Challenges of Disinformation in the Western Balkans” is a perfect read for those who want to learn more about the disinformation landscape in the region.

A student party in Skopje this spring took an unexpected turn when playing an Albanian song towards the end of the event sparked controversy and hate speech on social media. Despite the organization’s inclusive nature, which includes members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, a nationalist group named “Patriotsko drushtvo” (Patriotic Society) on Instagram, self-proclaimed as a “young, ambitious group of patriots filled with enthusiasm,” criticized the inclusion of the song in Albanian, triggering hate speech aimed at the student organization.

The new video from the Metamorphosis Foundation reminds you why we should focus more on Open Data.

As an organization focused on helping children affected by domestic violence, Centrum LOCIKA often faces various forms of disinformation and misinformation about its activities. Both can significantly damage reputation, erode public trust, and have a negative impact on the work of the organization. In this article, we will share specific experiences in refuting misinformation and offer practices that may be useful for other organizations.

Imagine this moment but without the internet. It is impossible, as you are reading this online, right? Have you ever wondered what the “insides” of the internet look like? How is data stored and how is the internet transmitted? Or what consequences does it have for the environment?

What can we learn about our organization using social media monitoring tools?

We are inundated with information, but we still know nothing about important things. In addition to the exhausting traditional platforms, we find our way through newer and newer channels, but we usually receive filtered information and endless impulses. Division is growing, trust is in ruins. Instead of running away, it's worth understanding the situation, and we also have room for maneuver as an NGO.

The biggest manipulators, including, for example, Arthur Finkelstein, who developed the Soros campaign, realized important things about the workings of the public, which we need to understand if we want video campaigns aimed at social change.

To find out what influences social media reach and how we can put the algorithm to work for you, read on!

Unlike misinformation, which is often spread unintentionally, disinformation is characterized by its purposeful intent to deceive. It typically involves a well-thought-out plan that includes the creation of false or misleading content, as well as a strategy for its dissemination to reach and influence a wide audience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the key technological innovations. It not only helps to optimize everyday processes but also opens new opportunities to tackle complex challenges in areas as diverse as healthcare, education, transport, and business. AI technologies allow us to perform tasks faster and more efficiently, analyze large amounts of data, make better-informed decisions, and anticipate future needs.

During the last two years more than 240 educators have participated in NPO Tuleviku Meedia training and projects, and thanks to them we had an opportunity to validate, improve, and implement different methods of teaching media and information literacy. We want to share some insights that may help you or your colleagues find a way to teach media and information literacy in your school and community.

We live in multilayered, complicated, and complex times. The ambivalence and ambiguity of the world have never been so visible on a daily basis. Alongside growth, development, and positive societal changes, we also observe rising inequalities, human rights violations, and social problems.

Deepfakes, as artificially manipulated content, are one of the most significant issues in today’s world of (dis)information. However, we must also acknowledge the benefits that artificial intelligence (AI) brings to the world of information. There are now numerous examples worldwide of AI becoming an integral part of the daily work of media professionals, from writing news articles about specific events to creating visualizations of people or things that could not be realized without the help of an application.

See the newest video from Metamorphosis Foundation and learn about the mechanisms behind the political manipulation.

We live in a digital age where every day we witness the advancement of one of the most prominent trends of our time: artificial intelligence. The beauty of this new trend lies in its accessibility to everyone and its versatility for virtually every need: writing texts, assembling ready-made code for programs, assisting in the creation of 3D models, which can then be used in medicine, and much more. However, for the time being, artificial intelligence is mostly used for generating images.

Learn more about the two-factor authentication in a new video by Metamorphosis Foundation!

An algorithm is a procedure used to solve a problem or perform a calculation. Algorithms operate based on an exact list of instructions carried out step by step or routinely based on hardware or software. On social media, algorithms are rules, signals, and data that govern the platform's operation. These algorithms determine how content is filtered, ranked, selected, and recommended to users. In a way, algorithms influence our choices and what we see on social media.

In today's information society, where digital technologies and the internet are increasingly important, media literacy is becoming an indispensable skill area. This includes the ability to analyze information, understand its sources, and to understand how the media shape our perception of the world.

Images created by artificial intelligence are becoming more and more realistic, and thus more difficult to distinguish from real photographs. There are several methods which may be used to identify photographs created by AI, by noticing their unnatural textures or warped backgrounds.

With phones practically glued to our hands and constantly going off with notifications, we are in an era where devices dictate our every move. The pressure to remain constantly informed and up to date with current events can sometimes become too big and overwhelm us. This marks a period where it is necessary to take a step back and create some distance from the devices dominating our lives.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is permeating every facet of society, from daily life, education, healthcare, manufacturing, security, and finance, all the way to social media. One critical issue emerging is the challenge of distinguishing between what is real and what is generated by AI. Due to negative criticism, addressing and clarifying how AI should be utilized properly becomes imperative.

We live in an era where the flow of information is constant, coming from countless sources: friends, social media, YouTube shows, and news platforms. But with so much content at our fingertips, a crucial question arises: how can we distinguish truth from falsehood?

This article investigates the types and usage of AI-powered technology – large language models (LLMs) that can mimic the way we talk and write – from the perspective of media literacy.

Deepfakes are a form of audio-visual manipulation through artificial intelligence. Recent developments in this field have increased the curiosity to understand more about deepfakes. The literature on deepfakes has multiplied in recent years.

In a small-scale project – media literacy training seminar “From Consumer to Creator” – 30 Municipal Youth Councils’ representatives* from five different municipalities in Latvia gathered to reflect on their media consumption habits, explore their own cognitive bias, learn about social media algorithms, and exchange their practices creating collaboration ideas for the future.

The rise of AI technology has raised significant concerns about the spread of disinformation, but also about fraud and privacy breaches. Deepfakes, which are highly realistic synthetic media messages created using artificial intelligence, have a potential to deceive and manipulate on a massive scale. These sophisticated manipulations could be done in different forms, such as video, audio, and image, and the result is often indistinguishable, making it very challenging to discern a difference between real and manipulated content.

Video games (VG) have evolved from simple entertainment to a powerful cultural force. As VG become embedded in the fabric of people's daily life, their influence is far-reaching, spanning the entertainment industry, social interactions, economic activities, and educational approaches.

Unveiling 'Checkbot' is a pioneering media literacy project at the forefront of empowering digital audiences now live on Facebook and Instagram.

In Lithuania, as in many other countries, children are spending more and more time on the internet. New technologies, social media platforms, games and social networks are becoming an integral part of children’s daily lives. Youngsters spend more than a few hours a day online. This includes gaming, social networking, watching videos, studying and other online activities. Of course, the amount of time spent on the internet can vary depending on a child’s age, hobbies, family agreements and other factors, but there is a trend that children are starting to use the internet and spend their leisure time online at an increasingly younger age.

It has probably happened to you - you comment on some of your own views on Facebook or post something that may not seem so controversial to you. Someone with an opposing opinion appears and conveys this in a provocative and stubborn tone. Suddenly, the entire conversation is thrown in an illogical direction, you waste time and nerves, and in the end, you wonder how such people can exist.

In short, you’ve encountered a troll.

At present, more than one third of the world’s population uses the Internet, and this trend is on a continuous rise. It is almost impossible to imagine life without the Internet, which offers thousands of information sources, digital books and maps, social media, e-commerce, digital libraries and museums, news…

In a world flooded with information, determining the credibility of sources we use to inform our choices is more critical than ever. Source analysis tools are essential for verifying the reliability of news and information, helping us to separate fact from fiction.

In the heart of the Havířov region in Czechia, a dynamic group of young minds from the Comenius High School would like to shape the future in the region they call home. Havířov, an economically and socially excluded region with a long-lasting poor level of infrastructure and education, with many challenges, is also vulnerable towards disinformation. Led by a TechSoup Master Trainer Aneta Bednářová, supported by an active teacher Jana, this passionate team embarked on a project focused on combating disinformation. Their journey unfolded through creating and piloting of a peer-to-peer workshop, igniting a spark of awareness and empowerment among their peers. “Let`s empower media literacy in Havířov”, we say.

Fake news is believed to be complex for various reasons. Among other things, they refer to our personality and attitude to facts, and there are various cognitive mechanisms that distort our perception. The question arises: How can we become more resilient?

Online scams are an inexhaustible topic where virtually anyone can be a victim, no matter how knowledgeable and educated they are and how many times they say "don't click" to themselves. This is true in particular when someone's health is at stake, and people can easily fall for manipulations and fake news when they are vulnerable or feel helpless. Thus, there are frequent examples of users of social networks clicking on advertisements for medicine promising to cure hundreds of diseases, various supplements for rapid weight loss within a few days, purifying the body in just a few hours, etc.

Misinformation from various platforms spreads rapidly around the world, proliferating through social media further without verification by users. Social networking platforms are designed to distribute as much content as possible to users that captures their attention. Since the human brain works in such a way that it pays more attention to negativity and fear, the content served tends to be negative. This enables social networks to influence entire populations at an unprecedented scale and speed. An MIT University study shows that fake news spreads 6 times faster than verified news. In such an environment, how can activists and officials communicate effectively, and how are they organized? How are they countering misinformation?

Digital transformation has made organizations dependent on technology for performing their work. But despite its many benefits, digitalization also brings cybercrime. According to the “Nonprofit Tech for Good Report” from 2023, 27% of NGOs around the world have suffered at least one cyberattack. NGOs collect, manage and process large amounts of data on people in sensitive situations as well as financial data from donors, which are the main reasons they are targeted by malicious actors, making the sector the third industry most targeted by hackers.

Crises come in various forms, often unpredictable, and the organization's ability to ensure operational continuity, adaptability, and prevent reputational risks is directly tied to its preparedness. Staff members must be able to make quick decisions and implement crisis management strategies effectively. The readiness to adapt and respond promptly is crucial. In this article, we will outline steps for your organization to swiftly respond to a crisis and ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge to handle a crisis in a confident and professional manner.

Climate change is a global challenge that affects the lives of every citizen on Earth. This impact will become increasingly visible and more severe as global temperatures increase. Scientists say we need to act now. Unfortunately, disinformation prevents us from taking serious steps and continues to cast doubt on this issue. How can we counteract it?

In recent years, platform regulation projects have forced companies to actively fight against what they call "harmful content". This is the case of the Digital Services Act, an ambitious project that has been implemented in the European Union and has served as inspiration for similar projects, such as the UK's Online Safety Bill or the so-called "fake news project" in Brazil.

In Makaia, we work to strengthen social development capabilities based on technology, cooperation and innovation. From the Digital Resilience project, which is based on the Hive Mind platform, we seek to create and share tools, knowledge and good habits in the digital sphere to counteract misinformation in the Latin American region.

Let’s come together to learn on how to strengthen young people in being more resilient (online and offline) and improve their (as well as our own) wellbeing in the times of widespread disinformation, limited attention span and general information noise.

For the better part of the last decade, we, as citizens of the modern setting, living our lives in a world where the Internet is part of our everyday existence, are aware of disinformation. Call it fake news, propaganda, misinformation, the umbrella of disinformation covers the many aspects of this topic. A rose by any other name: name it as you wish, it’s still the same thing.

In Latvia, a number of media literacy projects are created each year with funding from the state budget and international partners. Initially, several years ago, the crucial aim was to fill the void in this field. However, how influential and sustainable are the media literacy projects created in the last three years, and what are their main shortcomings? This was clarified in the quantitative evaluation of the projects and the survey completed by their creators.

Ever found yourself thinking, "How on earth do I connect with these Gen Z folks?" Well, look no further – you've landed in the right place! Watch this video recording from a recent, engaging Q&A session with our Comms Expert on Gen Z, Berina Bulatović, and tackle the perpetual challenge of improving your organization’s communication with the younger generation.

The need for objectivity, neutrality and balance in journalism is a daily challenge for professional media, but one of the biggest challenges to media professionalism comes with the elections. The election process presents a challenge for the media, as it puts into focus their purpose to offer citizens access to all facts, opinions and ideas in the campaign. Journalists must also ensure access to the media so that citizens' voices can be heard beyond the words of political debate.

Today, we would like to share with you an important awareness-raising campaign - a case study from the Local Action Plan carried out by our TechSoup Trainers.

The population across the European Union is ageing. This is a fact that is more often looked at as a problem, rather than an opportunity. However, it is time to reverse the perspective. One of the main problems especially in countries like Bulgaria, is that opportunities are not given and sought for the active inclusion of the elderly in public life. Due to the digitalization of the world a big part of social debates has migrated to the digital space. Elderly people want to participate and be heard.

Logical fallacies and cognitive bias go hand in hand. It takes critical thinking skills and positive self-doubt to avoid these traps that contribute to stereotyping, stigmatization, misrepresentation, and other negative outcomes of the lack of media literacy skills. This is the fourth article in the series produced together with the Baltic Media Centre of Excellence, where we explore the intricacies of the human mind and the potential traps in decision-making, while reminding you of 12 common cognitive biases and 10 logical fallacies that often shape our understanding of information.

Critical thinking is the ability of an individual to recognize or evaluate and critically analyze a particular issue. Critical thinking develops from an early age, and every person acquires it on an individual basis. To determine if we have critical thinking, we must acquire skills for observation, analysis, interpretation, reflective thinking, evaluation, conclusion, explanation, problem-solving, and making the most appropriate decisions, writes Portalb.mk.

Until a few years ago, online shopping was primarily associated with tech-savvy individuals or used for specialized products. However, nowadays, online shopping has become a normal part of our daily lives. Entrusting personal banking information to the online realm no longer sounds as daunting as it did a decade ago. Although online money transfers through banks are more secure than ever, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be cautious about spending money online.

The advent of the internet, and social media platforms in particular, has fundamentally changed how we engage with the world, including how we communicate, socialise, learn, work, and participate. While this has presented significant opportunities for the right to freedom of expression, it has also raised several pressing challenges regarding the dissemination of information online, more especially during an election period.

Not all time spent online is a time well-spent (let’s be honest – more frequently it’s not even time well-wasted). While media literacy skills are crucial for understanding and structuring the great wave of information coming our way every day, doing it while maintaining a healthy relationship with technology is another matter. This is the third article in the series produced together with the Baltic Media Centre of Excellence, where we explore the psychology behind online interactions, as well as provide tips for digital well-being.

At the beginning of 2024, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is still trending. We observe new tools, upgrades, and public discourse focusing on the hyped generative AI. As most of the focus is being placed on the technological level, the ethical and societal contexts of AI use need more attention from the perspective of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

In this video, the Metamorphosis Foundation shows what propaganda actually is and where and how it shapes opinions even today.

Media literacy is the key to navigating the vast sea of information that surrounds us. This is the second article in the series produced together with the Baltic Media Centre of Excellence, where we remind you of the very basics of media literacy. In this article, you’ll find a concise recap on what the five core concepts of media literacy are, as well as a more detailed explanation why representation matters.

The influx of media content in cyberspace sometimes makes us, as readers, seek information that is different from the rest. For the public, it is crucial to “discover” something new that brings fresh insights into certain important societal issues or questions of personal interest to individuals. However, sometimes behind the “new things”, we see bombastic headlines, spectacular claims unsupported by evidence, unconfirmed or unofficial information, as well as disinformation that can cause more harm than lead to positive change in society.

The concept of “think before you click” is one of the most important factors in terms of information safety. This regards everything that is offered to you on social networks, the advertisements that pop up as you read a text on a web-page, links that “invite” you to open them as you are watching a YouTube video, and the "like" button.

The field of social media is constantly changing. We observe them both as users, but also as citizens. Social media platforms are a tool for influencing consumer and civic decisions. We invited Katarzyna Szymielewicz (Panoptykon), a lawyer specializing in human rights and technology, to discuss how large platforms work, how they affect the functioning of individuals and groups, and what changes we can observe in the near future.

Discussing anti-Western narratives is a hot topical issue nowadays, but not a new one - just as propaganda is not an expression of our times, but has a long history behind it. I will not talk about the general course of anti-Western propaganda in Eastern Europe and especially in Romania, but about my personal experience with this field and the sometimes arduous process of countering it with honest and transparent means.

The 2015-2017 period, that brought us Brexit and Donald Trump with his “alternative facts”, also brought politicians the revelation that lying is detrimental to one’s career only if one admits to lying, when one gets caught.

Online violence involves using digital technologies to perpetrate acts of violence. This can occur on social media platforms, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and mobile phones. According to UNICEF, it refers to repeated behavior aimed at intimidating, angering, or shaming those it targets.

The number of online purchases by Macedonian citizens is increasing, and concurrently, scams targeting citizens shopping on virtual stores are proliferating. To avoid "emptying" credit cards through scams, there are several recommendations that we, as citizens, should follow when making our online purchases.

The purpose of this community-building event was to provide and promote truth, and accuracy in information dissemination to form a collaborative network, equip the community with tools, and knowledge to combat disinformation, and share best practices to enable participants to learn from the subject matter experts to maintain informed citizenry.

MAKAIA had the privilege of participating in the regional event FITS Democracy 2023, where important topics regarding disinformation, polarization, technology, and innovation were discussed, all within the context of Latin America and the Colombian Caribbean.

The influx of media texts, videos, photos, as well as social media posts, nowadays is immense, as they constantly appear on our devices through which we communicate on the internet daily. Bombastic headlines and announcements of spectacular discoveries in such content often lead us to forget one of the fundamental rules of creating media content — the signature of the author behind them.

Hive Mind Community Podcast on the Benefits of Artificial Intelligence for NGOs and Civil Society Members (CSOs).

Two headlines of news articles appear to you simultaneously: the first one reads, “Wonderful Weather Today!” whereas the second one announces, "Terrible Storm Is Approaching the Country!". Which headline would you click on?

In Poland, historians have written extensively about conspiracy theories - this fact provides an additional argument to teach about the problems that conspiracy theories cause in the era of revision of history in many European countries. What are the most bizarre conspiracy theories about the war in Ukraine that you have encountered so far?

How do different opinions appear in the media? Is there a place, a space for differences of opinion? What opportunities do we have as civilians to publish our own narratives?

Polarization is a process that occurs on psychological and emotional grounds. The radicalization of groups leads to the radicalization of language on highly controversial and socially divisive topics. One of the most polarizing places on the Internet are Facebook groups (often run by the party involved in the conflict), where discussants reassert themselves, fuel a spiral of insults, ridicule, and hate speech, or even use language that dehumanizes opponents.

Social media and online spaces are dominated by visual contents. Whether as part of a news story or as viral content, it is now extremely easy and common to manipulate and mislead readers. Although this can be done with relatively little knowledge and easily accessible tools, it is often amateurish or of particularly poor quality that fools users.

In this article you can find out more about the "Free January" campaign of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ)

Disinformation and online manipulation is a widespread issue, targeting a number of minority groups based on gender, sexual expression, race, age, and more. In light of the rise in politically driven attacks on the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, it's critical to counter disinformation in order for them to receive treatment for physical and mental health, sex reassignment procedures, and have safer spaces in schools and communities.

Open call for civil society organizations, independent media or journalist and digital activist of Latin America.

In the effort to counter disinformation and improve media literacy, there are several known models for verifying if news articles accurately represent facts and events. However, nowadays, a significant part of communication is informal, for example in the form of social media posts. In such informal forums, misinformation continues to spread with the help of influencers. A new model is thus needed to analyze this type of media content.

We share the investigation and educational web series created by DIP

Research findings show that people cannot tell the difference between false and real news. This problem also affects Kosovo society, which has a high percentage of internet access (93%). One of the signs that disinformation influences the public in Kosovo is the outcome of the Raka case which is explained below.

How eye witnessing and capturing the spur of the moment prevents disinformation

Fake news is used to manipulate and dictate and shape their decision making. Fake news can damage our public discourse. We need to raise awareness and understanding of disinformation and be mindful that our freedom of expression could harm others. The time is now to verify all information.

As part of the Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) project, we are happy to invite all interested educators residing in Europe to express the interest and take part in a 2-day onsite Training of Trainers (ToT) on Countering Disinformation and Building Positive Narratives in Warsaw, on April 19-21, 2023.

Artificial intelligence is changing and will change even more the way we live and work. This simulation of artificial intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans have made it possible for humans to be replaced by machines today in some fields. But what does this mean in the field of information and what could be the misuses that we should beware of?

The Mérték Media Analysis Workshop has been conducting a survey on news consumption and information habits since 2013 in Hungary. In this article, we summarise the results and lessons learned from the research, which can be important and useful for CSOs in their orientation and communication planning.

Phambano Technology Development Centre was founded in 2017.

Our aim is to provide sustainable technology-related solutions and support technology development among civil society organisations (CSO’s) that work on social justice issues across Southern Africa.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in West Africa will see improvement in digital literacy, security and safety as 15 digital activists have received training to help protect the civic space from cyber threats and attacks.

Cyberpsychologist Gordon Ingram explains the social and psychological consequences of the dynamics promoted by the Internet and social networks.

On Wednesday 16 November 2022, The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) organised the Launch of WACSI Nigeria Node to build civil society resilience in Nigeria for the country’s development and to address the proximity challenge and especially make the Institute’s services readily available to organisations and civic actors that may not have the means to engage effectively online.

The reasons behind the behaviors that accept and promote disinformation.

Journalists and NGOs around the world have been working for countering disinformation through institutions, organizations, and associations called "fact-checkers" (or, simply: information verifiers), which are dedicated to corroborating and verifying the veracity of information and news disseminated on digital platforms. Fact-checking as we know it today was born with Factchecker.org, a website launched in December 2003 by Brooks Jackson, a former Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, and CNN reporter.

Digital revolution has greatly enhanced public vulnerability to manipulation by information. The trend is growing with every year and the term ‘fake news’ doesn’t cover all of its forms anymore. Find out what are the most common information disorders we encounter daily.

When you need to make an unbiased, rational decision about something important, try to be aware of your cognitive biases. They are a normal phenomenon in psychology of all humans, but as they may affect your judgement or decisions, it is worth acknowledging their existence and learning some methods of how to overcome their misleading effects.

We will navigate the characteristics and experience that the use of the Internet has left us as human beings and understand what we leave on the Internet.

It has become increasingly common to read news on the internet where young people participate in viral challenges that have harmful consequences for their health or even for the rest of their lives and those of their families.

Join us for a panel discussion about the current war-time disinformation landscape and learn about ways of mitigating its harmful effects.

In the international media market, the children's news programme is a television format with a decades-long history in many countries. This is a complex, mindset-shaping programme aimed at 8-12 year olds. In Europe, the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) “Newsround” and the German Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) “Logo!” are the leading examples.

Baby faces covered in chocolate, baby feet splashing in the water, cheeks soaked in crocodile tears. As we read the list, we might think of a post or story from social media that we sometimes encounter in the online space. But is it safe to share not only your personal information, but also that of a child who is in our care? What does it mean to be a responsible digital parent?

Strengthen your abilities to access and critically analyze information in digital media with the free and self-paced online course: "Think twice: media literacy Online"

Get to know an exciting joint European project that uses technology and research against online hate. From anti-vaxxers using Eriksen’s collapse at EURO 2020 to Russian propaganda on the war in Ukraine, their content is worth taking a look at.

With the dramatic increase of our digital footprint (in other words, the footprint of our activities in the online word, e.g. use of social media sites, emailing, blogging, accepting cookies on various websites etc.) data protection is not only an issue for large companies, but it is equally important for civil society organizations and individual users as well. However, while the former can often employ a whole team of security experts, in case of civil society organizations it is an issue that we have to deal with ourselves. Keep in mind that the most precious information today is data and identity, therefore it is especially important to protect them.

Russia's war against Ukraine is not only taking place on the battlefields and in besieged cities, but also in the information space. This was true even before the digital age, but war propaganda has reached a new level thanks to the possibilities of the Internet. Fake news, dubious images, videos, untraceable figures, battlefield results, not to mention conspiracy theories explaining the background to the attack.

In today's digital world, information warfare is significantly more pronounced. The war in Ukraine is also taking place on several fronts of the information world, in front of video games, TikTok, and that of fact-checkers. Therefore, the focus of journalists should be on news sources, in controlling them to avoid the possibility of fraud from manipulated information.

Social media is based on continuous positive feedback from other users on user messages. The operators of these platforms have an obvious interest in ensuring that users spend as much time as possible on their platforms, and to do this they have a wealth of data about what content is likely to be attractive to users. This leads to an increasingly strong conviction of the user's own truth in a community of positive feedback, even if that truth is based on completely nonsensical or deliberately manipulative facts.

A user's digital footprint is the set of data that the user leaves behind about him or herself in the digital world. Intentionally or unknowingly, every day we create and leave a lot of data in the digital space that gives us a picture of who we are, what we do, where we are in the digital world and why we do it.

Value, nowadays, comes in lots of different forms. We have traditional ones, such as time, power, security, health, and money. However, there is another, new form of value which is not yet fully understood: digital information. In this article, our aim is to raise awareness about how Facebook affects us and our loved ones on a daily basis, and how not knowing our rights and the help we can receive open us up to potential harm in the cyberspace.

Phishing is a serious threat in our modern world, and there is no knowledge passed down from generation to generation of how to prevent it. This knowledge we have to acquire ourselves so that we can pass it on to the next generation. The number of hacking and phishing attempts has been increasing from year to year, in direct proportion to the fact that more and more activities in our lives are moving to the online space – from work to having fun and to shopping.

Knowledge about disinformation is more important now than ever. Critical thinking is key and it’s worth supporting it with the knowledge on how to recognize different forms of information disorder.

Every day millions of people access the internet and browse through countless content within the reach of a few clicks. Children and teenagers are connecting more and more frequently, finding facilities to access information, knowledge and opportunities, while exposing themselves to different risks such as cyberbullying, sharing private information with strangers, sexual exploitation online, among others.

A survey recently conducted by TechSoup has revealed how social organizations around the world are working with data. At the same time, collaboration, communication and technological trends for the social sector explain the panorama where 5 major trends for the sector stand out.

Save the dates, mark your calendars and get ready to go! These are the five Media Literacy Events you simply cannot miss in 2022!!!

This article is a production of Ciudadania Inteligente (Ciudadania AI), a Latin American, inclusive and feminist organization that fights for social justice and for the transformation of democracies.

Social media platforms allow users to interact in a faster and easier manner. On one hand, this phenomenon helps establishing relationships and bonds beyond physical boundaries, leading to the exchange of information and content of all kinds. It is also not a secret that these platforms offer users tools for commercializing goods, products and services.

ESI Digital from JAAKLAC aims to promote Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE, ESI for its Spanish acronym) in relation to digital technologies to minimize online sexual risks among adolescents. The guide covers topics such as sexual and reproductive rights, digital education, internet risks in adolescence and digital safety strategies.

"If you want to teach people a new way of thinking, don’t bother trying to teach them. Instead, give them a tool, the use of which will lead to new ways of thinking."

- R. Buckminster Fuller

We live in the Information Age. Our ability to synthesize and use information well is crucial to our fate and future well-being. Our Experts have been designing bespoke courses on topics that are relevant, set in a meaningful context and important. From making sense of the news online, to protecting your own or your organization’s digital safety and privacy.

We are happy to share with you a 10-episode video tutorial prepared by TechSoup Europe. We hope it will help you make eye-catching graphics for your content with CANVA: an online design and publishing tool available in basic version for free for everyone, and for nonprofits, also free of charge in the pro version.

"The Social Dilemma" movie has been made available by its makers for educators worldwide in a free, classroom-friendly, 40-minute format that can be screened during a single lesson.

Digital media strategies used by the Venezuelan government, especially propaganda, provide an ample example for the way different digital tools may be used for manipulation, public opinion disinformation and favoring a particular agenda.

In Hungary, when it comes to the analysis of news, fake news, or in general, any sort of medium, the most suitable subject is a media lesson to learn how to approach the topic. This subject, however, is riddled with so many problems in the already convoluted education system, that in 2020, in the first iteration of the latest National Curriculum, the subject almost got entirely removed.

Our friends at TechSoup Europe have prepared a comprehensive guide designed for trainers, educators, and organizations engaged in educational initiatives. Get our guide and learn how to convert your training from the offline to online format!

Here are some guidelines for your greater well-being as a media consumer. Yes, we are all media consumers. You got that correctly. In the following video, you will find a number of useful tips and tricks that will aid your digital transformation from a regular media consumer to a Media Literacy Expert!

These days, verifying information that we receive has become a must. By not verifying, then, we are putting ourselves at an outright risk of getting manipulated. So, it is more essential than ever, to put a big question mark at the end of every online message, especially when encountered on social media. It is crucial to keep that question mark until we can fully verify and eliminate doubts about sources' authenticity.

According to Peter Ditto from the University of California, one of the many reasons why people fall prey to the influence of misinformation lies in so-called motivated reasoning (MR).

If you’re still wondering why you need to be media literate (a skill that is in high demand today more than ever!), you’ll find the answers to this question in this short video. We have singled out the five most important reasons that will help you decide to start studying the media and their messages. The process is relatively straightforward, and you will gain all the necessary skills by simply following our channel. Let’s go!

3 online games that help you develop your media literacy skills

Do you ever look at the screen-time analysis on your smart phone and cannot believe the high number it displays? If not –great, but if you do –then this podcast is for you.

In this episode you will hear Jakub Górnicki talking to Kamil Śliwowski -

a Media Literacy, Open Educational Resources and Online Privacy expert.

Kamil explains how he has gone from becoming a techno-enthusiast to a real techie helping people better understand the negative effects of using technology...

Welcome to the Hive Mind podcast series: “Let’s Talk Digital Resilience!”, where we would like to offer you a chance to enjoy 5 meaningful conversations led by top experts in the field of media technology, online security, and digital wellbeing.

Critical thinking is a buzzword that we hear almost every day. Especially in times of false information and the infodemic that is surrounding us on an everyday basis. And even though we meet with this term regularly, it is still not clear to everyone what it actually means. A brief characteristic of critical thinking is that it is the ability to form one's own opinion based on acquired knowledge, experience, not only from one's knowledge, but also from other people.

Teenagers from Dream Factory acting studio created 8 raising awareness videos focusing on how to recognize Fake News, Deep News and how to behave when someone spreads misinformation, or simply is being abusive online.

Major dangers and media manipulation threats in the age of disinformation

A simple guide through the media jungle for senior citizens.

Only by mobilizing at the grassroots can democracies counter disinformation. It’s time to vaccinate citizens against the poison of digital warfare.

Manipulation, coercion, and preying on emotions – all have been a part of human existence probably since the very beginning. Naturally, some people are doing it better than others, and those at the other side of the equation, tend to fall victim to such schemes, and are left faced with the consequences of their often unassuming nature.

Media literacy continues to be one of the most debatable topics in our world today. Some big changes in the circulation of information in recent years, paired with the continuous impact of the media on our everyday lives, especially the new media, make the treatment of media literacy a necessity even for the most developed societies.

“Balkan history has been shaped by the territorial ambitions and disputes of the last century, and so has become a zero-sum game; it also has quasi-religious aspects, insofar as current debates reveal an implicit concern with purity and pollution underlying accusations around loyalty and betrayal. Grievances and disputes escalate; and (to pursue the game metaphor) there is no mechanism, in this case, by which both sides would agree to invest a referee with the authority to call the game fairly; the stakes are seen as too high,” says prof. Keith Brown

Learn to Discern (L2D) builds critical thinking and healthy habits for engaging with information, online and offline.

Missed any of our events, feeling like watching it again diving straight into the extra resources and materials? We've got it covered.

How many times have you faced the embarrassing situation of forever losing your precious data such as photos, videos, etc.? All of this either due to a little carelessness or maybe not even your fault? Are you being careful by always keeping a safe copy of your most valuable data, or are you just relying on your usual antivirus software to protect you against ransomware attacks?

Virtual Private Networks, also known as VPNs, are well known to our public as a very useful "tool" for circumventing the rules of certain streaming platforms regarding the geolocation constraints. Aside from "cheating" the service or platform, and making your favorite series, feature film, or podcast available, what else do we know about them? Can VPNs benefit us in other circumstances, professional or private, and why are they really important?

Do you sometimes ask yourself: how to help my teenage kid with homework? That’s perfect! Use this opportunity to show how to read laterally and effectively verify sources of information.

Phishing messages, spam, junk, and a host of other names. We have all, at some point, received such messages. From the infamous e-mails from the Nigerian prince to the most sophisticated types of targeted phishing. The bad news is: they are here to stay. What can we do about it?

In November young people, including youth councillors, members of school authorities, young social leaders, activists and NGO activists will be able to take part in webinars, during which they will organize and deepen their knowledge in the area of "disinformation". The webinars conducted by Anna Skocz will present ways to prevent disinformation and responsible use of media.

Recruitment for free online workshops in media education just started

Google’s Fact Check Explorer Is Fast & Generates Accurate Results In All Languages

Mobile Reverse Image Search In 3-Steps

The New Fact Check Explorer & A Step-By-Step Guide To Markup Tool

Guides, checklists, FAQs, reading lists and a debunk database