Disinformation and gender issues

A study with young people from Salvador and Porto Alegre (Brazil)

Abstract

Disinformation, amplified on digital platforms, disproportionately impacts young people and those oppressed by their gender identity, who end up being more vulnerable to the phenomenon. Given this context and based on the perceptions of young people living in Salvador (Bahia) and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), two Brazilian capitals, this article aims to investigate the relationship between disinformation and gender. This is a basic study with a qualitative approach and exploratory intent. A bibliographical study was conducted covering the period 2016 to 2025 in the main database of Information Science in Brazil (BRAPCI), and empirical research data collected from young people from both cities was analysed. The results highlight hate speech as the most cited problem among young people, with a higher prevalence among girls and non-binary individuals. There is also variation in the intensity of self-reported impacts, with boys reporting milder impacts, followed by girls and, finally, non-binary people, who report more severe impacts. The findings reinforce the importance of promoting information literacy (IL) and media education in Brazil.