The Institute for Public Affairs presented results of its current research project Youth in cyberspace - prospects and risks for democracy on 8 December 2016 in Bratislava. The project was carried out thanks to support of the ESET Foundation. It shows wide professional as well as general public the current image of a young generation’s attitude towards problems of an e-democracy.
An outcome of the project is a research study based on a nationwide representative research carried out in September 2016 on a sample of 1083 Slovaks aged 18 to 39 years.
Results of the study have an ambition to show a level of practical use of modern (electronic) tools in processes of democracy. Their aim is also to show current negative trends such as the spread of conspiracy theories, hate speech, trolling or an inclination towards political extremism. The study focuses on several basic themes:
- Internet as a place of young people’s interest in socio-political problems
- Political affiliation of a young generation
- Practical use of e-democracy tools such as social networks, watch-dog portals, blogs, newsgroups, e-petitions, online campaigns,…
- Sympathies towards the extremist political party LSNS
- Attitudes towards electronic voting and its potential for increasing a voter turnout
Download:
Press Release [PDF, in Slovak]
Youth in Cyberspace - research report [PDF, in Slovak]
Presentation [PDF, in Slovak]
Press conference on December 8th, 2016 in Bratislava. Marián Velšic (left) and Grigorij Mesežnikov (right).
