Three reasons why young people are prone to conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theories have long been a part of modern life, actively spreading thanks to social media and political crises.
Events like Brexit, the US election and the COVID-19 pandemic have only emphasised how quickly such ideas penetrate the public consciousness. The consequences can be serious: belief in conspiracies undermines trust in institutions and democratic processes, and sometimes leads to radical action, according to The Conversation.
A recent study by Jean-Nicolas Bordeleau and Daniel Stockemer (University of Ottawa), published in the journal Political Psychology, provides an unexpectedly clear answer to the question of who is most likely to believe in conspiracy theories. An analysis of nearly 200 scientific papers and an international survey of more than 6,000 people in six countries found that young people under 35 are more likely to believe in such ideas than older generations. Age was found to be a more important factor than education, income or gender.
Why are young people susceptible to conspiracy theories?
Political alienation
The study found that young people often feel alienated from the political system controlled by older generations. The absence of young faces in politics leads to frustration and a feeling that democracy is not working for them. Against this background, conspiracy theories become a simple and convincing explanation: the system is not just ineffective - it is run by hidden forces.
Activist style of participation
Young people are increasingly choosing non-traditional ways to participate in public life: protests, boycotts, online campaigns. It is these environments, especially on the Internet, that become breeding grounds for the spread of conspiracies, as they are dominated by the "us versus them" rhetoric. This pattern easily fuels distrust of official sources and authorities.
Low self-esteem
The level of self-esteem plays an equally important role. Young people with a low sense of self-worth are more likely to look for external causes of their problems and are more likely to believe in conspiracies. For them, such explanations become a way to cope with feelings of helplessness. Psychologists note that self-esteem tends to grow with age, and it is most vulnerable when you are young.
What to do?
The authors of the study are sure: just refuting false theories is not enough. It is necessary to address the very roots of the problem.
It is important to make democracy more inclusive and representative, so that young people see their voice and perspective in it. An example is the election of Senator Charlotte Walker at the age of 21, which gave young voters hope for change.
Youth activism should not be suppressed, but rather equipped with critical thinking and media literacy tools to distinguish between truth and manipulation.
A focus on mental health is also important: support and work on self-esteem can help young people feel more confident and less dependent on simple conspiracy "explanations" for problems.