An experimental study investigates how young Italians evaluate information in paper and digital formats
Following on from its work on trust in institutions, the research group coordinated by Alessio Muscillo shares a new study carried out thanks to the collaboration initiated in the Fattore J project: Paper–Digital Trade-Offs: Preliminary Insights from a Framing Experiment with Italian Adolescents.
The research explores a central theme in contemporary education: how does format, whether paper or digital, influence adolescents' perceptions, evaluations and choices? And how important is the way in which information is “framed” in determining attitudes and preferences?
An experiment on the power of format
The study is based on an experiment conducted with Italian adolescents, who were asked to compare content presented in different formats. The aim is not to establish a hierarchy between paper and digital, but to understand the cognitive and perceptual mechanisms that guide young people's decisions. Preliminary results suggest that:
- the format is not neutral: it affects the perception of reliability, cognitive engagement and quality of experience;
- framing, i.e. the way in which information is presented, can amplify or attenuate these differences;
- adolescents' choices reflect a negotiation between technological familiarity, cultural representations and performance expectations.
In a context in which schools, healthcare and public communication are undergoing a profound digital transformation, understanding these trade-offs becomes crucial for designing more effective educational interventions.
Research and action: the value of collaboration
The work is part of the activities promoted by Fondazione Mondo Digitale through Fattore J, a project that focuses on young people as active interlocutors on issues of health, prevention and innovation. The collaboration between academic research and educational planning makes it possible to:
- gather empirical evidence on young people's attitudes and behaviours;
- provide decision-makers and trainers with up-to-date interpretative tools;
- reinforce a model of intervention based on data, experimentation and social impact.
It is not just a question of observing how young people use digital technology, but of understanding how they attribute meaning to different information environments. This is a fundamental step in building critical, conscious and responsible education pathways.
Towards a culture of balance
Muscillo's group's contribution raises new questions: how can we design educational experiences that integrate print and digital in a complementary way? How can we avoid ideological simplifications – whether technophile or technophobic – and promote a culture of balance instead?
In an age when information choices affect health, civic participation and the quality of individual decisions, understanding the mechanisms that guide adolescents means investing in their autonomy.
The research continues, but one thing is already clear: the future is not a binary choice between paper and digital. It is a question of awareness, context and shared responsibility.
