Radicalisation online

The younger people I know, all moved on from FB many years ago.

Monica it’s not all boomers of course, but I guess FB is predominantly older users, most young people don’t use it at all

Beeches

Wyllow3 it says that since Facebook has decided to remove safeguards such as fact checking there’s a high risk of older users to believe what they read without questioning or fact checking from wider sources, while younger users tend to be more questioning

While we do get the occasional oddball on GN, by far the majority of members or remarkably measured and considered in their views - whether I agree with them or not.

I certainly have not noticed among my contemporaries any predilection to believe social media and, sorry, I really would like a link to a reputable source that gives the evidence that older social media users believe what they read without questioning and do not fact check.

Deedaa, I also have a 21 yo son who’s away at uni and he’s really developing a broader deeper knowledge of the world around him and politics etc. further/higher Ed is invaluable for and worth more than just the subject matter they choose

Indigo8, interesting yes, good point that passionate belief in something can be good or bad, I just wonder if people are always aware of the dire consequences of becoming passionate about a group or belief that can do lasting damage to a whole country, even whole world. Hence the need to make sure you have a broad understanding from wide sources. I feel I’ve got better at this but also less trusting of news feeds

My daughter's 30 year career as a research scientist keeps me firmly steered towards peer reviewed papers about everything, and while my son dropped out of further education years ago, he spends his spare time picking apart various conspiracy theories (and lecturing me on his conclusions!) I also find that a reasonable level of education helps. There are so many subjects where you can say with certainty that that isn't what happened, or that something is actually physically impossible, or that happened to me and that's not how it works. It does cut out some of the random rubbish that's floating around.

The danger is when radicalisation turns into extremism which can then lead to acts of terrorism.

It could be argued that the Suffragettes moved along those lines and that some became terrorists.

Stay away from Jim Davidson on Youtube. (not difficult for most of us I'm sure)

There are a lot of over-50s on Gransnet (possibly most members, as we are a pretty sensible group) who DO understand that facts have to be traced back to their sources, conspiracy theories and outlandish beliefs taken with a pinch of salt and debunked if they can't give reasons for ageeing with them, and so on. Perhaps it would be better if those people stayed on FB and whatever other social media they are on, and dedicated a small part of their time to refuting a fallacy a day and showing why it is a not true, with links to genuine sources. It would be like emptying the bath with an egg-cup while both taps are turned on full, but every little helps.

It’s generally a red flag for me if someone here always quotes the same media source as the angle of that one news outlet will be so narrow

petra

Disclaimer.
This is not directed at any particular member of this site.

This site can sometimes be a prime example of the older generation believing online propaganda.

Yes

petra

Disclaimer.
This is not directed at any particular member of this site.

This site can sometimes be a prime example of the older generation believing online propaganda.

Also however.... finding out about it and how to look things up to contradict whats been alleged....

I'm assuming that Facebook has kept its safety features for under 16-18's - if not would really be angry.

Petra, oh I agree, there are some quite niche viewpoints at times!

Disclaimer.
This is not directed at any particular member of this site.

This site can sometimes be a prime example of the older generation believing online propaganda.

Link to article: www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/12/fears-for-uk-boomer-radicalisation-on-facebook-after-meta-drops-factcheckers

Wyllow3 it says that since Facebook has decided to remove safeguards such as fact checking there’s a high risk of older users to believe what they read without questioning or fact checking from wider sources, while younger users tend to be more questioning

What did the research in the study mean by radicalisation? Extreme right/left view? Terrorism? People who ignore mainstream, sources, using social media uncritically?

Canadian Gran, me too, in fact I find overseas news sites so interesting as they add a perspective we might not see here in the UK. And also just talking to a variety of different people and their varied opinions is useful - I commented to a Canadian born friend the other day about Trump calling Canada a state and her reaction taught me a lot - she laughed it off and said oh yes that was a thing Canadians are used to ignoring :D

M0nica, that’s so interesting, it kind of proves a point of how to avoid becoming radicalised. I think over 50s maybe more than other demographics, might find it harder to realise if they have become radicalised because it seems so ridiculous. But yes I agree, the broad reading for news and information and avoiding groups that push niche politics is the way to go

I consider myself a centrist as well. I tend to view mainline news; on TV, and online (no print any more!). I will have certain friends and co-workers claim they never trust mainsteam media and only use social media sites. This frightens me.

If there is an international news situation, I do try to pick sites from other countries for their viewpoints, such as CNN, BBC or Le Monde.

As far as I know, I do not have any inclination to radicalism. I am to the core a moderate.

Like you I read a wide range of media, so get a wide view. However I rarely use social media. I use Facebook, but only in a closed group and I am signed up tone or two specialist sites - my village site, a couple of archaeology sites, I am a member of and one for owners of Listed Buildings, none likely to be espousing any radical views.

am also a trained researcher, obvious I would say from my boring habit of backing up my opinions with endless links to research papers .