Youth meeting GenAI: Young people’s media and information literacy practices in the information ecosystem shaped by generative artificial intelligence
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Topic of the dissertation
Youth meeting GenAI: Young people’s media and information literacy practices in the information ecosystem shaped by generative artificial intelligence
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science in Media and Communication Yucong Lao
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Humanities, History, Culture and Communication Studies
Subject of study
Information Studies
Opponent
Professor Denise Agosto, Rutgers University
Custos
Professor Noora Hirvonen, University of Oulu
Youth meeting generative artificial intelligence: Young people’s ways of navigating with generative-artificial-intelligence-powered tools and systems
The advancement in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has driven a tremendous increase in the volume of new media content. In this context, young people are increasingly exposed to GenAI artefacts due to their active engagement with information in online environments. The thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of young people’s media and information literacy (MIL) practices as shaped by GenAI.
Grounded in social constructionism, this research employs qualitative research strategies. For Sub-studies I and II, in-depth interviews with 20 participants were conducted on their MIL practices regarding GenAI artefacts, particularly deepfakes, including an experimental session in which participants were asked to identify the authenticity of the provided videos. The data were analysed with thematic analysis. For Sub-study III, a conceptual literature review was conducted, focusing on the affordances of GenAI systems for information seeking and the conditions for these affordances. Sub-study IV employed qualitative content analysis of 78 BBC News articles to examine people’s GenAI navigation in the current information ecosystem and the collaboration among stakeholders for GenAI literacy enhancement, as portrayed in the media.
The findings show how GenAI has impacted the ways people create, retrieve, and engage with information, carrying both positive and negative consequences. Based on the findings, young people were already encountering GenAI artefacts, particularly deepfake content, in their everyday lives before the term “GenAI” became widely popularised. The findings demonstrate complex MIL practices and emerging competencies, including ways the young participants understand deepfakes and verify the authenticity of such content. The examined news articles further portray the competencies needed to navigate GenAI, including understanding, using and evaluating GenAI, and combating GenAI harms, stressing the importance of co-governance to promote more responsible GenAI use.
These findings contribute to the knowledge of how young people tackle the complexities of the information ecosystem shaped by GenAI, highlighting that their understanding of GenAI has become an integrated component of their MIL. Continued support for the development of their MIL practices remains crucial to address the ongoing evolution of emerging technologies.
Grounded in social constructionism, this research employs qualitative research strategies. For Sub-studies I and II, in-depth interviews with 20 participants were conducted on their MIL practices regarding GenAI artefacts, particularly deepfakes, including an experimental session in which participants were asked to identify the authenticity of the provided videos. The data were analysed with thematic analysis. For Sub-study III, a conceptual literature review was conducted, focusing on the affordances of GenAI systems for information seeking and the conditions for these affordances. Sub-study IV employed qualitative content analysis of 78 BBC News articles to examine people’s GenAI navigation in the current information ecosystem and the collaboration among stakeholders for GenAI literacy enhancement, as portrayed in the media.
The findings show how GenAI has impacted the ways people create, retrieve, and engage with information, carrying both positive and negative consequences. Based on the findings, young people were already encountering GenAI artefacts, particularly deepfake content, in their everyday lives before the term “GenAI” became widely popularised. The findings demonstrate complex MIL practices and emerging competencies, including ways the young participants understand deepfakes and verify the authenticity of such content. The examined news articles further portray the competencies needed to navigate GenAI, including understanding, using and evaluating GenAI, and combating GenAI harms, stressing the importance of co-governance to promote more responsible GenAI use.
These findings contribute to the knowledge of how young people tackle the complexities of the information ecosystem shaped by GenAI, highlighting that their understanding of GenAI has become an integrated component of their MIL. Continued support for the development of their MIL practices remains crucial to address the ongoing evolution of emerging technologies.
Created 8.12.2025 | Updated 10.12.2025