🎬 Our documentary 'Middle Rage – Social Media and the War on Democracy' is now live! Exploring how social media, disinformation and online narratives shape democracy - focusing on middle-aged audiences. Watch now 👇 youtube.com/watch?v=lrnqNrdA… #MiddleRage #SmidgeProject #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy #Democracy

It rarely starts with one big conspiracy. It starts with curiosity. Then doubt. Then immersion. And before you know it… You’ve been carried away. #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives

Sometimes the loudest explanations aren’t the most accurate ones. Disinformation simplifies complex problems and redirects blame. Asking better questions is the first step toward better answers. #CriticalThinking #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives

Every day online, we face small choices: ➡️ Follow evidence ➡️ Or follow what confirms what we already believe Disinformation doesn’t spread by accident. It spreads by decision. Which road would you take? #MediaLiteracy #SmidgeProject #ConspiracyTheories

When misinformation gets loud enough, it can drown out everything else. Including facts, dialogue and trust. #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives @CORDIS_EU @mediaEU

“This is fine.” Sometimes denial isn’t loud. It’s quiet. Comfortable. Familiar. But ignoring evidence doesn’t make the fire disappear. What makes us accept comforting narratives over uncomfortable truths? #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives #Disinformation #ClimateChange

SMIDGE joined the ARENAS sister project seminar exploring how extremist narratives circulate within parliamentary debates. Research presented showed that radical right discourse in the European Parliament centres on sovereignty, identity and defence, portraying the EU as distant, technocratic and disconnected from citizens. Such narratives mobilise emotions like fear, pride and belonging, demonstrating how extremist messaging operates not only online but also within formal democratic institutions. #SMIDGE #ARENAS #Extremism #EU #Democracy #ResearchImpact

📢 Who shapes online debates but is rarely included in extremism research or policy responses? The “invisible middle” - adults aged 45–65. SMIDGE research shows this group: • relies heavily on social media for news • is highly active in family & community networks • is frequently targeted by misinformation and conspiracy narratives • but is largely overlooked in prevention strategies If we ignore them, we miss a key part of the problem. Our new policy briefs provide tailored guidance for policymakers, platforms, journalists and institutions. Read more: smidgeproject.eu/_files/ugd/… #SMIDGE #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy #DigitalPolicy

A reminder that our event “Addressing Extremism in Middle Age” is taking place on Tuesday, 24 February, in Westminster. We will share findings from the SMIDGE project examining an under-researched demographic: middle-aged adults who are increasingly exposed to online extremist content. The discussion will reflect on methodological challenges, emerging evidence, and implications for policy and practice. 🔗 You can register to confirm your attendance here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/addressin…

As part of the SMIDGE project’s counter-narrative work, the University of Copenhagen @koebenhavns_uni has produced 27 pieces of micro-content, including memes and a GIF, addressing the spread of #misinformation, #disinformation, and conspiracy theories across social media platforms. Informed by findings from previous work packages, surveys, and focus groups, this collection operationalises the theoretical and empirical knowledge developed throughout the project. It also reflects the broader challenge of designing effective counter-messages while remaining attentive to the ambiguity, humour, and vernacular style that characterise memetic communication. 🔗 The full SMIDGE Memes & Micro-Content Gallery is available here: lnkd.in/eABWm9h9

📣 Join us in Westminster on 24 February! Organised by De Montfort University, this final event of the SMIDGE project brings together policymakers, researchers, civil society, media and security experts to tackle a critical gap in extremism prevention: how online extremist narratives reach and influence middle-aged adults. The event is open to Members of the UK Parliament, representatives of UK and EU institutions, policymakers and practitioners working on extremism prevention, digital policy and cybersecurity, as well as researchers, academics, NGOs, journalists, fact-checkers, media professionals and digital platform stakeholders. 🔗 Register here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/addressin…

On 29 January, the SMIDGE International Conference was held in Brussels, marking a key milestone after three years of research into online extremism among middle-aged adults in Europe. Hosted by @inclusive_eu_ , the conference focused on “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe.” Participants examined how disinformation, polarisation, and extremist content circulate within this demographic, and why middle-aged adults play a strategic role in shaping and amplifying online narratives across digital platforms. A consortium meeting between project partners took place the day after the conference, providing an opportunity to collectively reflect on the project’s findings and outcomes. 🔗 Read the full article: smidgeproject.eu/post/three-… 🎥 Watch the conference recordings: youtube.com/@SmidgeProject