There are days when you scroll through social media and ask yourself, “Is this true?” Can that be true? Or is this fake news?” – A new report shows that you are not alone. The overwhelming majority of Europeans share these doubts.
Europe's fight against fake news
The Bertelsmann Foundation recently published an alarming report from the “Upgrade Democracy” . According to this, more than half of EU citizens feel insecure when surfing the Internet. Disinformation is no longer a fringe phenomenon. It has become a central concern of digital citizenship.
Germany: Less skeptical?
It is interesting that only 29 percent of Germans say that they have ever consciously come across disinformation on the Internet. This value is well below the European average of 39 percent. The opposite applies to Spain. Almost 50 percent of those surveyed said they had already come across fake news.
The voice of the people
The message from the people is clear: it is time to make a change. 86 percent demand greater political intervention. And 89 percent demand more commitment from the platform operators.
“Reliable information is the basis for forming well-founded opinions.”
Kai Unzicker, author of the study
It's not enough to just hope
Cathleen Berger, digital policy expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung, puts it succinctly: “In addition to regulation from above, there needs to be a build-up of competence from below.” In plain language: Hoping on politics and platforms alone is not enough. Every individual is required to take responsibility and contribute to improving the digital landscape.
Checking the Facts: A Question of Education
But how can we be sure that the information we receive is real? It starts with education. The study shows: Only 44 percent of those surveyed have ever checked online information. It is clear that more needs to be invested in training media skills when dealing with online media.
Conclusion
It's not just about detecting lies. It's about creating a strong, informed and engaged digital citizenry in Europe. One that questions, doubts and checks. The findings of this study are not just a warning to politicians and platform operators. They are also a call to all of us to actively shape the digital space in which we live.

Mimikama.education
can impart media literacy through targeted lectures and workshops. Various target groups such as students, teachers and parents can be reached and sensitized. How do search engines work?
How can I search images? These techniques are particularly helpful for exposing fakes, hoaxes or dangerous hoaxes. NEW! Geoguessing workshops at Mimikama! Turn the search for truth into an exciting adventure with our geoguessing workshop!
Source:
Press portal
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

