From Fake News to Fact-Checking: TRUTH4YOUTH Living Lab in Latvia

How easy is it to create a misleading social media post? Can we always recognise AI-generated images? And how often do we actually check the information we encounter online before believing or sharing it?

These were some of the questions explored during the TRUTH4YOUTH Living Lab organised by EFE. The workshop brought together 22 young people to explore climate disinformation, digital manipulation, fact-checking, and responsible digital citizenship through interactive challenges, discussions, and creative activities.

The event was organised as part of the TRUTH4YOUTH project, which aims to strengthen young people's critical thinking, digital literacy, and resilience to disinformation. Rather than simply learning how to identify misleading content, participants were encouraged to investigate how misinformation works, question their own assumptions, and experiment with creating alternative messages.

The workshop began with the Green Truth Quiz Challenge, an interactive quiz developed using Genially. Participants tested their knowledge of misinformation, manipulation techniques, climate-related claims, AI-generated content, and greenwashing. Some questions that initially appeared straightforward led to different answers and lively discussions, demonstrating how easily information can be misinterpreted when important context is missing.

The activities then moved towards practical verification skills. During the SIFT Source Check, participants explored how to investigate online claims, identify their original sources, and assess credibility before accepting information as accurate. Discussions revealed different online habits: while some young people regularly compare sources, others rely on information shared by people they know or rarely question what appears in their social media feeds.

One of the most engaging topics was artificial intelligence and visual manipulation. Through the Spot the Manipulation – AI & Deepfakes activity, participants examined how images, videos, headlines, and captions can influence our understanding of information. An important learning point was that misleading content does not always require a completely fabricated image or false statement. Even authentic photographs can create false impressions when presented without context or accompanied by misleading captions.

But what happens when young people become the creators of misinformation themselves?

During the Create the Misinformation challenge, participants worked in groups to develop misleading social media posts using clickbait, emotional language, selective information, and manipulated context. Other groups then examined the examples and attempted to identify the techniques used. This change of perspective helped participants understand how easily convincing misinformation can be constructed and why seemingly credible content should still be questioned.

The workshop continued with a Counter-Narrative & Content Creation Lab, where participants explored how misleading messages could be challenged through clearer, more accurate, and engaging communication. The activity encouraged them to consider not only whether information is correct, but also how it can be communicated effectively to different audiences.

Throughout the Living Lab, young people reflected on their own digital habits, including how much they trust information shared by friends and family, what makes them suspicious of online content, and whether they feel confident recognising AI-generated material. Short interactive questions, sticky-note reflections, and small-group activities ensured that participants could contribute in different ways.

The workshop highlighted that digital literacy is not simply about distinguishing between real and fake content. It also involves understanding how information is presented, recognising emotional manipulation, checking original sources, and being willing to question our first impressions. By combining fact-checking, creative experimentation, and peer discussions, the TRUTH4YOUTH Youth Living Lab created opportunities for young people to move beyond passive consumption of information and become more critical, informed, and responsible participants in the digital world.

TRUTH4YOUTH – Digital Disciplined Citizenship

Project No. 101252921 — TRUTH4YOUTH — CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.