#rp25 speaker Ingrid Brodnig: Generation Disinformation?

From racist hoaxes and rumours on TikTok that exploit the fears of younger users to misinformation on Facebook that appeals to an older audience – there are fakes for every age group that match their viewing habits, fears and values: from climate myths to fake AI images.

‘Younger people are active on different platforms and are often interested in different topics than older people,’ says journalist and author Ingrid Brodnig. During the 2016 US election, researchers found that people aged 60 and above saw an above-average number of dubious sources. It is therefore important to recognise generational differences in order to react more appropriately!

At re:publica, Ingrid Brodnig will talk about how facts can be presented according to age and how fact checks should differ depending on the age group. She will also talk about what forms of education schools can provide about communication on digital platforms and how we communicate with senior citizens, for example.

Ingrid Brodnig is a journalist and author. Her new book ‘Wider die Verrohung’ (Against Brutalisation) was published in 2024. In her work, she deals with the social impact of digitalisation and the culture of online debate. She gives workshops and tips on how to respond to phenomena such as hate speech and disinformation. She has written a total of six books on these topics, including ‘Hass im Netz. Was wir gegen Hetze, Mobbing und Lügen tun können’ (Hate online. What we can do to counter hate speech, bullying and lies) and ’Einspruch! Verschwörungsmythen und Fake News kontern – in der Familie, im Freundeskreis und online’ (Objection! Countering conspiracy myths and fake news - in the family, among friends and online). Ingrid Brodnig also writes a regular column for the Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard. She has received several awards for her work, including the Bruno Kreisky Special Prize for the political book.