Not all false information is the same. In today’s digital world, where messages spread in seconds and posts can reach thousands with a single click, understanding the difference between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation has become essential.

Misinformation refers to false information shared without harmful intent. It might be a friend reposting a statistic they believe is true, or a well-meaning family member forwarding an outdated news article. Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberately created to mislead—fake news stories, propaganda, or manipulated content designed to influence people. Malinformation is different again: it is based on real information, but shared in a way that causes harm, such as leaking private details or using facts out of context to damage someone’s reputation.

These distinctions matter because they require different responses. Fighting misinformation often means better education and fact-checking. Countering disinformation requires looking at sources, motives, and systems of manipulation. Preventing malinformation involves stronger privacy protections and ethical standards. The ability to recognize and respond appropriately is what makes someone not just a consumer of information, but an active and responsible participant in society.

This is one of the central themes of Connecting Minds for Digital Tomorrow!, a project by Stichting yEUth under the European Solidarity Corps. Through workshops and discussions, participants explore how misinformation spreads, why disinformation is powerful, and how malinformation can be damaging in personal and public life. By practicing fact-checking, analyzing sources, and reflecting on their own digital habits, young people learn to see information critically instead of passively.

The aim is not to make participants distrust everything they see, but to give them the tools to recognize the difference between honest mistakes and intentional manipulation. This shift—toward awareness, agency, and resilience—strengthens their ability to engage in democratic life. When young people know how to separate truth from distortion, they are better prepared to contribute to conversations in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

False information will always exist, but its impact depends on how we respond. By equipping youth with the knowledge to distinguish misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, Connecting Minds for Digital Tomorrow! empowers them to turn confusion into clarity and uncertainty into action.