Understanding and responding to complex online harms: misinformation, fake news, and young adults

Introduction This United Kingdom (UK)-based study examines how online tools and technologies shape young adults’ interactions with misinformation and fake news in everyday contexts, integrating insights from young adults and key stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Methods Through two data collection workshops—a stakeholder engagement session (N=22) and a co-design workshop with young adults aged 18 to 25 (M=7), we explored the challenges that young people face when encountering and interacting with misinformation and fake news online. Additionally, we examined the design of privacy-enhancing technologies, as well as the innovation and policy development priorities highlighted by our stakeholders. Results Our findings point to how young adults become vulnerable to exploitation by malicious actors online in various contexts, especially focusing on emotionally vulnerable life events. Our findings also emphasise the need for more empirical research that engages young adults within enclosed online communities, such as online gaming voice channels, where opinions can become radicalised, emotions intensified, and young adults desensitised. Discussion We propose implications for designing harm-reducing tools through increasing young people’s individual agency, equipping them with the skills to recognise, assess, and address misinformation whilst also enhancing their algorithmic and new media literacy. We also advocate for increased reciprocal interactions and collaboration between mainstream and marginalised communities. These recommendations aim to guide the education sector, parents, policymakers, media professionals, technology designers, and other stakeholders in exercising collective agency and fostering collaborative efforts to share communications and values that contribute to safeguarding a safer online environment for young adults.