EDMO Ireland researcher Dr Shane Murphy has begun work on a new study for the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), focusing on the negative impact of misinformation and disinformation on young people in Ireland. NYCI, the national representative body for voluntary youth organisations, commissioned the research in response to growing concern about how false and harmful narratives are affecting young people, communities, and democratic engagement.
Dr Murphy will conduct a scoping review to assess what is currently known — and what remains unexamined — about how mis- and disinformation are shaping young people’s experiences, views, and vulnerabilities. While international research has highlighted the links between disinformation and far-right narratives, NYCI has identified a lack of evidence specific to the Irish youth context.
Youth workers across the country have reported increasing challenges related to conspiracy theories, hate speech, and misleading content surfacing in their work with young people. The review aims to support the development of better-informed responses, policies, and interventions that empower young people to navigate complex and sometimes hostile information environments.
