This session explored how audiovisual and social media platforms, ranging from TikTok and YouTube to music and memes, shape values, norms, and beliefs. We examined the persuasive techniques used by influencers and content creators, the cultural context behind how media is interpreted, and offered practical tools for educators to foster critical viewing and listening skills.
Target group: Media literacy educators, creators, youth workers, cultural institutions, civil society actors, media professionals, researchers, policy makers, fact-checkers, communication experts, legislators, broadcasters, public authorities, and private sector stakeholders.
Prof. Dr. Laura Vandenbosch, Director of the Media Psychology Lab, Communication Science KU Leuven, Belgium, presenting the MIMIC Project
Dr. Catalina Goanta, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, presenting the HUMANads project
Alyssa McIntyre, Program Officer in the Digital Program, Aspen Institute, Germany, presenting #InfluencersAgainstDisinfo: Empowering Online Opinion Leaders to Enhance Democratic Resilience in the Age of Information Manipulation
Recording 🎥
External Links 🔗
- KU Leuven Media Psychology Lab: https://soc.kuleuven.be/smc
- MIMIC Project: https://www.projectmimic.eu/
- The different studies and reports published: https://www.projectmimic.eu/#academic_output
- HumanADS project: https://humanads.eu/
- ”Me at the Zoo” recognised as the first video uploaded on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw&vl=en
- HumanADS publications: https://humanads.eu/publications
- France passes new law to protect child influencers: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54447491
- The Influencer Legal Hub: https://commission.europa.eu/live-work-travel-eu/consumer-rights-and-complaints/influencer-legal-hub_en
- Aspen Institute, Germany: https://www.aspeninstitute.de/
- InfluencersAgainstDisinfo: Empowering Online Opinion Leaders to Enhance Democratic Resilience in the Age of Information Manipulation: https://www.aspeninstitute.de/influencersagainstdisinfo-empowering-online-opinion-leaders-to-enhance-democratic-resilience-in-the-age-of-information-manipulation/
- Ethical Code of Conduct: https://www.aspeninstitute.de/wp-content/uploads/2024EthicalCodeofConduct_InfluencersAgainstDisinfo.pdf
- Policy Recommendations: https://www.aspeninstitute.de/wp-content/uploads/Disinformation-and-the-Role-of-Social-Media-Influencers-in-Times-of-Crises-Conflicts-and-Wars-Recommendations-on-Countering-Disinformation-2.pdf
- HumanADS report on influencers and elections: https://humanads.eu/influencers-and-elections-an-eastern-european-campaign-blueprint
- Research on the Romanian elections from the perspective of what data access needs studying, this would require: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.01122
- comprehensive analysis highlighting the use of content creators in ROM by CRC: https://www.cyfluence-research.org/post/the-romanian-presidential-elections-2024-analysis-of-information-operations-and-long-term-inf
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