Resume
From Brain to Platform: Why Disinformation Spreads and How Education Can Build Resilience
Mgr. Lenka Jakubcová, Ph.D., Police Academy of the Czech Republic in Prague, Faculty of Security Management, Department of Crisis Management
Mgr. Kristýna Holubová, Ph.D., Police Academy of the Czech Republic in Prague, Faculty of Security Management, Department of Crisis Management
doc. Ing. Karel Šilinger, Ph.D., Ministry of Defence
Abstract
The study analyses the factors contributing to the spread of disinformation content in the European environment and to the resignation of part of the audience from critically evaluating information. It systematically elaborates on three key dimensions: neurocognitive processes (emotions, motivation, heuristics and their influence on information processing), the transformation of the media and platform ecosystem (personalisation, algorithmic settings, social media dynamics), and the role of education in building information resilience (critical thinking, media and digital literacy, preventive approaches such as prebunking). The study also discusses the impact of disinformation on individuals, society, and decision-making processes and outlines the implications for strategic state communication and public policy-making. It emphasises the need to combine technological, regulatory, and educational tools, including early prevention.
Keywords: Conspiracy Theory; Disinformation; Education; Information manipulation; Neurocognitive processes; Propaganda; Resilience; Social Media.