Dounia Kelchtermans
← Strategic Design
Group project — in collaboration with Europol

Online Misinformation Among Youth

From a broad societal question to a coherent intervention strategy that helps young people keep a grip on their digital world.

Isometric city map of the problem: young people exposed to misinformation, filter bubbles and harmful content
Partner
Europol
Period
April – June 2025
Team
Group of 5
Target group
Young people aged 12–17
Methods
Systems mapping, interviews, co-creation
(01) — The challenge

How do teenagers deal with what they see online?

Young people (12–18) are exposed to large amounts of online misinformation, leading to narrow worldviews, mental strain and weakened critical thinking. Without proper support from schools, platforms or policy, they risk being unknowingly influenced, polarised or even radicalised.

(02) — Process

Six steps

  1. 01

    Exploring the context

    Desk research on media literacy, algorithms, online credibility and existing initiatives, plus the briefing on online policing.

  2. 02

    Mapping the actors

    An actors map of youth, parents, teachers, influencers, news media, fact-checkers, platforms and policymakers, and who holds knowledge and influence.

  3. 03

    Gathering perspectives

    Conversations with young people and their surroundings, and expert input from the VRT fact-check desk and a care teacher.

  4. 04

    Revealing patterns

    System maps with cause-and-effect relations and feedback loops, such as personalised content, engagement and filter bubbles.

  5. 05

    Finding leverage points

    Interventions on several levels, from media literacy and fact-checking to platform changes, support and regulation, linked to long-term effects.

  6. 06

    Making it tangible

    A physical city model as a metaphor to discuss problems, responsibilities and solutions with young people and parents, and sharpen the proposals.

Team members mapping insights with sticky notes on a whiteboard
Making an actor map
System map with causal relations and feedback loops around misinformation
Causal loop system map
Outcome map linking actions to strategic outcomes and long-term impact
Outcome map
The team working on the city map illustrations around a garden table
Practising the presentation
(03) — Testing

On the street with the city model

With the physical city model, we talked with young people and parents about problems, responsibilities and possible solutions. Their reactions helped us assess and sharpen the proposals.

Discussing the city model with young people in a public hall
Presenting the city model to parents and residents in a park
(04) — Key insight

“Young people want more grip on their own digital environment.”

Young people asked for

  • Practical media education
  • Recognisable AI content
  • Reliable information
  • Influence over their algorithm

Parents emphasised

  • Protection
  • Boundaries
  • Platform responsibility
(05) — The result

A city of interventions

Five intervention directions — awareness, transparency, fact-checking, organisation and intervening & supporting — translated into one city landscape of roads, buildings and traffic signs. Explore the districts below.

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