Abstract
Political disinformation significantly impacts public discourse, destabilizing democratic foundations, and cyber security problems represent an increasing challenge for users, which is why empowering fact checking skills and a competent approach to cyber security issues is essential for social participation, particularly for vulnerable groups (Ruokolainen & Widén, 2020; Keel & Weber, 2021). The paper reports on two research projects in which technical assistance systems (a mobile app and a browser plug in) for detecting disinformation and empowering fact checking and cyber security skills for the vulnerable groups of migrants, young people, and seniors are being developed. Based on the technology-ethical approach of Value Sensitive Design (Hillerbrand 2021), the projects integrate the target groups’ needs and expectations into the development process. This contributes to the research field of media technologies and media literacies. The research consists of three stages: (1) Qualitative interviews with target groups to assess their needs and expectations (n=30); (2) Implementing findings into the apps development process; (3) Mixed-methods app prototype testing phase in all three target groups The results of this process are presented. The results, which cannot be generalized, show that vulnerable groups have specific expectations and needs, especially focusing on transparency, easy usability, language and trust. The research also shows the importance of empowering vulnerable groups to navigate digital society in a resilient way and to foster a safer, more inclusive society.
Presenters
Mario AnastasiadisPost Doc Researcher, Communication Science, Universitxy of Applied Science Bonn, Germany Mariana Ochoa Moreno
Scientific Research Assistant, Social Policy and Social Security Studies, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Kathrin Keller
Research Assistant, Social Policy and Social Security, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Hektor Haarkötter
Professor, Social Politics, University of Applied Science Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Disinformation, Cyber Security, Vulnerable Groups, Qualitative Methods, Value Sensitive Design
