Financial Manipulation: how money, markets and misinformation intersect online   

Financial markets have become increasingly intertwined with social media, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, creating new opportunities for participation but also new risks for manipulation and misinformation. From AI-generated investment advice and crypto hype cycles to meme stocks, gamified trading apps, and financial influencers, online environments are reshaping how people make financial decisions, often blurring the line between education, entertainment, and persuasion.

This session explored how financial manipulation operated in today’s digital ecosystem and examined the tactics used to influence investment behaviour. Participants gained insights into AI-generated financial content, crypto speculation, meme stock phenomena, the gamification of investing through platform design, and influencer marketing disguised as financial education. The webinar also addressed the psychology behind financial scams, the techniques used by fraudsters to exploit trust and emotions, and the challenges of preventing and investigating online financial crime. Through expert presentations and practical examples, attendees could develop a deeper understanding of the intersection between money, markets, and misinformation.

Target group: Media literacy educators, teachers, researchers, financial literacy educators, consumer protection organisations, journalists, policymakers, communication professionals, youth workers, civil society organisations, and anyone interested in understanding the growing influence of misinformation and manipulation in digital financial environments.

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