A new study commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Germany has raised concerns about the impact of disinformation narratives and foreign propaganda on young TikTok users ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. The study revealed that young TikTok users in Germany are more likely to be climate skeptics, less critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and hold a more favorable view of the Chinese political system compared to the general population. The study also found that a significant portion of young people and TikTok users are susceptible to pro-Russian and Chinese propaganda, which could influence their voting decisions in the upcoming elections.
The study highlighted that a concerning number of young TikTok users in Germany have a distorted view of basic scientific findings. While the majority of respondents acknowledge the role of vaccines in saving lives, a notable percentage of young people and TikTok users express doubts about this established scientific fact. Furthermore, a significant portion of respondents, particularly TikTok users, question the human impact on climate change, indicating a lack of trust in scientific consensus. The study also noted that conspiracy theories surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continue to circulate, with a quarter of the overall population and nearly half of TikTok users believing in the theory that governments created the pandemic to control the population.
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, deputy chairwoman of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and former justice minister of Germany, emphasized the importance of addressing the susceptibility of young people to disinformation, particularly through platforms like TikTok. She called for efforts to combat Chinese and Russian disinformation to protect democracy in Germany. Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger highlighted the need to strengthen traditional media outlets, which are often targeted by extremists seeking to undermine their credibility. She also stressed the importance of educating young people on responsible social media use in schools to help combat the spread of disinformation.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s study revealed that a substantial portion of young Germans, especially TikTok users, have a more favorable view of Moscow and Beijing, raising concerns about the influence of foreign disinformation on voter perceptions. The study found that young people and TikTok users are more likely to question the motives of Russia and China, with a significant percentage doubting that Russia is spreading false information and believing that China’s authoritarian system is more efficient than Western democracies. These findings underscore the need to address the susceptibility of young people to foreign propaganda and disinformation ahead of the upcoming elections in Germany.
The study highlighted the potential impact of pro-Russian and Chinese propaganda on the German elections, with the risk of swaying voters towards parties critical of Western support for Ukraine and advocating for distancing from the EU. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the spread of disinformation and foreign propaganda to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process in Germany. By raising awareness of the susceptibility of young people, particularly TikTok users, to false narratives, policymakers and media organizations can take steps to combat the spread of disinformation and protect democratic values in the country.
In conclusion, the study commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation sheds light on the susceptibility of young Germans, specifically TikTok users, to foreign propaganda and disinformation narratives. The findings underscore the need to address the spread of false information ahead of the upcoming elections in Germany to protect the integrity of the democratic process. By strengthening traditional media outlets, promoting responsible social media use, and raising awareness of the dangers of foreign disinformation, stakeholders can work to combat the influence of pro-Russian and Chinese propaganda on voter perceptions and decision-making.Ensuring that young people have access to accurate information and are equipped to discern credible sources is essential for safeguarding democracy and combating the spread of disinformation in Germany.
