Generation Z and the AI Misinformation Paradox: Understanding a New Digital Vulnerability

Abstract

This paper asks: How and why is Generation Z more vulnerable to AI-generated misinformation and disinformation than older generations? Using a comparative review of recent empirical studies, survey data, and meta-analyses from 2019–2025, this paper synthesizes research on Gen Z’s exposure to and interaction with AI-produced content across social media platforms. Although it is commonly assumed that Gen Z ’s technological exposure and fluency make them better equipped to recognize false information, findings show the opposite: Gen Z is consistently outperformed by older cohorts in detecting AI-generated falsehoods. This vulnerability stems from three intersecting factors: (1) the sheer volume of AI-produced content in their online environments; (2) developmental and cognitive traits that heighten surface-level engagement rather than analytical processing; and (3) algorithmic personalization that amplifies emotionally engaging but misleading material. Despite these risks, interventions such as prebunking and targeted media-literacy training demonstrate measurable success in improving discernment and reducing belief in AI-generated falsehoods. The paper concludes that Gen Z’s challenge is not lack of access or awareness, but overexposure to AI-mediated information ecosystems that exploit attention and trust. Understanding and addressing this generational vulnerability is crucial for strengthening democratic resilience and developing evidence-based education and policy responses in an increasingly digital era.

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.56902/DUURJ.2026.7.1.4

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Recommended Citation

Cooley, Cecilia and Sperber, Elizabeth (2026) "Generation Z and the AI Misinformation Paradox: Understanding a New Digital Vulnerability," DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 4.