Abstract:

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning have fuelled the proliferation of deepfakes. This study examines the effects of deepfakes on adolescents’ public opinion and trust in information, as well as analyses the resulting psychological and societal impacts. Seventy adolescents aged 13 to 18 studying in Singapore participated in a cross-sectional study, where they answered a structured questionnaire involving Likert-Scale statements and semantic differential scale. For each of the Likert-Scale survey questions, mean and standard deviation were calculated. A section-level analysis was also conducted to determine the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Semantic differential scale and correlation analysis were also performed. The findings indicate that adolescents perceive deepfakes as a significant challenge to the reliability of online information and media. High levels of distrust, strong beliefs that deepfakes can manipulate public opinion and various psychological effects were also reported by respondents. Some limitations of this research were outlined at the end, with some suggestions for future research.

Keywords:

Deepfakes, public opinion, trust in information, illusory truth effect.