SHAZAAM: Combating Pseudoscience Among Gen Z

Overview

In the modern digital world, where influencers have hundreds of millions of followers while the WHO has only 12 million, mainstream narratives are told emotionally and compellingly. This paves the way for directly influencing online-centric people, such as Gen Z users, and leads to a growing trend in the spread of pseudoscience hoaxes. “Science Hoaxes to Avoid Alienation in Generation Z – A Media Literacy Approach” (SHAZAAM) uses Digital Media and Information Literacy (DMIL) as a counter-narrative solution to combat pseudoscience. It is an innovative pedagogic project for young adult learners of Gen Z that will improve DMIL in identified communities in Europe.

Objectives

• Enhance Media Literacy: Improve Digital Media and Information Literacy (DMIL) among Generation Z to help them identify credible information and avoid pseudoscience.
• Combat Pseudoscience: Provide young adults with the tools and knowledge to counteract pseudoscience hoaxes and misinformation.
• Promote Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking and analytical skills to enable Gen Z to navigate the digital world responsibly.
• Foster Community Engagement: Engage with identified communities in Europe to promote media literacy and counter-narrative strategies.
• Develop Educational Resources: Create innovative and accessible pedagogic materials tailored for young adult learners.