Google’s subsidiary, Jigsaw, conducted an in-depth study on how Gen Z digests online information. The study found that Gen Z, the digital natives, are not on a linear journey to evaluate the veracity of information. Instead, they engage in what researchers call “information sensibility,” a socially informed practice that relies on “folk heuristics of credibility.”
Gen Zers are aware of the difference between reliable news and AI-generated memes, but they don’t seem to care about this distinction. They read headlines and then quickly scroll to the comments section to see what others are saying. They outsource the determination of truth and importance to trusted influencers. If an article is too long, they skip it. They avoid content that might force them to think too hard or that upsets them emotionally.
Their goal is to learn what they need to know to remain cool and conversant in their chosen social groups. The relevance of a claim is established not by some notion of authority, but by the social signals they get from their peers. This research offers a revealing glimpse into the digital mindset of Gen Z, which is significantly different from older generations who struggle to fact-check information and cite sources.
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