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Distinguishing fact from fiction has never been more challenging — or crucial.
The digital landscape is flooded with content designed to captivate and, at times, deceive. Whether it’s a fake news story, a misleading advertisement or an AI-generated video that looks eerily real, the internet is filled with traps for the unsuspecting.
Like many of her peers, senior Marelin Lopez navigates this digital maze daily.
“I don’t really mind when websites ask for my information, but I don’t usually just hand it over,” she said. “It just gets annoying that every website asks for email, password, phone number, etc.”
Portable music, Bluetooth and instant communication devices may seem mundane for today’s youth, but these technologies represent a digital revolution that can be daunting for older generations. The generational gap in technology use increases the confusion and the risks associated with media consumption.
Confusion and privacy invasions on the internet make it difficult for many to recognize different types of media and understand their purpose.
This inability to navigate media effectively is known as a lack of media literacy.
Digital identity can be compromised by seemingly harmless things like fake content asking for personal details.
Promises of free services or prizes can lead people to give away their information, unknowingly exposing themselves to risks that they don’t fully understand.
Fake pop-ups pretending to be cookies, a type of digital file that lets websites remember you, your logins, shopping carts and more, can be infuriating as they block necessary information. Unlike real cookies, these aim to trick users into giving away personal information.
“I mostly click ‘Accept Cookies’ on the websites I go on because I need to do my homework,” senior Nujhat Samira said. “I don’t care because it usually looks real.”
With the increase in online homework, many teens tend to rely on the first website they find for information.
Media literacy teaches that not all websites are credible. Many websites misuse or compromise personal data, highlighting the need to critically evaluate information sources.
Another issue that must be addressed when considering media literacy, is AI.
Younger generations are familiar with AI, which is prevalent on the internet and social media apps.
But since 2021 AI has drastically improved, making videos and voice recordings increasingly realistic and therefore difficult to distinguish from genuine content.
Without media literacy, concerns about AI’s potential issues grow, highlighting the need for education on distinguishing AI-generated content from real media.
“I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a video the other day that looked so real,” Samira said. “Turns out it was AI. If the people in the comments didn’t catch it, I never would have known.”
Yet one more issue stands prevalent: fake news.
Fake news is much harder to spot than fake images. As news outlets market themselves more across social media platforms, they become the main source of information for the public, making all age groups susceptible to fake stories.
As a large company with an established brand, Disney has the resources to combat false advertisements and promotions. Marketing strategist for Disney+, Alejandra Rosales, explains precautions that are taken to accurately inform consumers.
“On the strategy side, we can see what’s out there, take it into consideration and analyze how it impacts our campaign strategy,” Rosales said.
Many companies have faced misinformation spread from fake advertisements. With the fast pace of media consumption, people struggle to identify authentic content.
“I’ve seen dupe content and fan art,” Rosales added. “It looks real. People get excited, but we ensure the credibility of the content and assets that we put forth to audiences, making clear it’s from Disney+.”
The public, regardless of age or technical knowledge, should understand the forms of media they consume and how to interact with them properly. While protection, privacy and identifying fake images and advertisements seem straightforward, constant advancements continue to put all media at risk.
“The main point I’m trying to make is that people need to check what they’re looking at,” Rosales said. “Always check the source and credibility before believing.”
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2024 print edition.
