’We’re not as trusting as you think!‘ How University of the third age participants respond to misinformation and disinformation

This study aims to examine U3A participants’ responses to misinformation and disinformation in the emotional, evaluative, and behavioural dimensions. The findings are based on qualitative research involving eleven focus groups with 98 participants aged 65 and over. The results indicate that U3A participants tend to respond to misinformation and disinformation with emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, disgust, and surprise. Participants also described a range of critical evaluation strategies, including assessing source credibility, comparing information across sources, and drawing on prior knowledge and experience. The data show that behavioural strategies include ignoring, deleting, blocking, and correcting misinformation and disinformation, and correcting its disseminators. The findings suggest that emotional, evaluative, and behavioural responses are closely interconnected and jointly shape how U3A participants navigate complex information environments. The study highlights the potential of U3As to support critical engagement with information and strengthen resilience to misinformation in later life.