Between the 10th and 13th of November 2025, the Romanian town of Traisteni became the venue for an important international presentation. It was here that the Slovak organization STEP unveiled the informationof its Erasmus+ Youth project (KA210) titled “Unmasking the Digital Mirage: Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News.”

This presentation was strategically embedded within the framework of another international event—a youth exchange (KA151), which was organized from the 8th to the 16th of October by the local partner, ASOCIATIA TOGETHER ROMANIA. The exchange brought together a dynamic group of 25 young people and leaders from Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Spain, and Turkey, thereby creating an ideal environment for disseminating the project’s ideas.

The dissemination activities in Romania extended beyond the main event. As part of the project, the team also visited the Technological Lyceum in the city of Campina, where they were given the space for a short presentation of the “Unmasking…” project. In front of more than 40 students, they briefly presented our project and its activities to date.

During the main event, representatives of the STEP association shared specific experiences and outcomes from the first series of learning and training activities (LTTA), which took place in Slovakia, as well as from the practical workshops conducted at a partner school. These contributions became a catalyst for an in-depth discussion about the irreplaceable role youth work plays in building resilience against disinformation and in cultivating critical thinking.

The central theme of the dialogue was the question of how young people can acquire the skills needed to navigate the digital world confidently and safely. Together, the participants analyzed methods for learning how to question online narratives, identify manipulative techniques, and become aware of the impact of fake news not only on society but also on their own mental well-being.

Dissemination in action! We are pleased to announce that on 23 February 2026, the local weekly Sninské noviny published an article dedicated to the dissemination of the 2nd series of local workshops within our project Unmasking the Digital Mirage: Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News. Be sure to grab a copy to see how we are addressing media literacy in our region!

Full article (English):

A 21st-Century Superpower: Students in Snina Learned to Uncover Digital Illusions

In an era of information overload and emerging artificial intelligence, critical thinking is becoming the most important asset for a young person. Therefore, the STEP organization, in cooperation with the Snina Grammar School, realized a series of interactive workshops focused on media literacy.

Information floods us from all sides, but we cannot believe everything we see on our smartphone screens. This very idea was the central theme of an educational day held at the St. Cyril and Methodius Grammar School in Snina. Here, the STEP organization officially launched the second series of local workshops within its youth project.

The all-day event was part of a broader initiative titled “Unmasking the Digital Mirage: Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News.” It is a KA210 strategic partnership within the Erasmus+ programme, under project number 2024-3-SK02-KA210-YOU-000279043. The project’s goal is to equip the young generation with tools to navigate the complex digital world.

How “Truth” is Manufactured

The first morning block, titled “Deconstructing Media Messages,” drew students directly into the ‘kitchen’ of media production. Lecturers from STEP emphasized that in an age defined by information chaos, critical thinking is a true superpower. Participants dove into a deep analysis of the news they consume daily.

The main activity focused on distinguishing real journalism from fake news. Students learned to identify “clickbait” (deceptive headlines designed to attract clicks), sensationalism, and specific framing techniques. They even tried framing practically – their task was to design their own headlines for articles to manipulate the reader’s perception in a desired direction. The block also included decoding images and infographics, helping students understand how visuals and bias can shape our perception of reality.

Detectives in the World of Artificial Intelligence

The educational journey continued with a second, technically focused workshop called “Deepfake Detection.” Since AI-generated content is becoming increasingly sophisticated, the ability to verify the authenticity of digital content is becoming a necessity.

Organizers prepared a series of photos and videos for the students, who had to determine if they were reality or AI creations. The task was not just to guess, but to argue based on visual anomalies and specific signs. Students mastered techniques of reverse image search and metadata analysis, helping them separate truth from digital fabrications. However, the discussion did not remain solely technical – ethical questions about how AI videos affect trust in media and what risks they pose to society also resonated.

Social Networks Under the Microscope

The conclusion of the day belonged to the third workshop, “Recognizing Fake News on Social Media.” Since social platforms are the primary source of information for young people, focusing on their safe use was crucial.

This block was highly practical. Participants analyzed actual content from their own “feeds” and collectively looked for red flags that reveal disinformation hiding in plain sight. The final discussion was held in the spirit of responsibility – how these posts manipulate public opinion and why it is important not to spread them further.

Thanks to Erasmus+ support, the Unmasking the Digital Mirage project shows that 21st-century education does not have to take place only behind a lectern, but also in the form of a dynamic dialogue about issues that concern us all. Students left Snina not only with new knowledge but, above all, with greater confidence when navigating the online space.

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

Spreading the ideas of Digital Well-being across borders!

On March 21st, 2026, STEP hosted a successful dissemination event for our Erasmus+ Small Scale Partnership project “Unmasking the Digital Mirage: Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News” (Project No. 2024-3-SK02-KA210-YOU-000279043).

This time, we took our results to Traisteni, Romania! The event was carried out during the international Erasmus+ youth mobility GreenVibe, bringing together 25 amazing participants from Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Italy.

We shared the core outcomes and practical tools developed during our 3rd LTTA “Digital Well-being and Media Detox” hosted by INPLANET in Athens this January. Together with the participants, we explored:

• How our online traces shape our digital identities and how to take control of our digital presence.
• The importance of intentional media use and pausing before engaging with online content.
• Creative ways to visualize our online selves through collage-making.
• Practical mindfulness-based strategies to reduce digital overload and build healthier tech routines.

It was inspiring to see young people from 5 different countries eager to reflect on their digital habits and learn how to navigate the online world with awareness and confidence!