Fact or Fiction Workshop Manual for Developing Digital Resilience and Critical Thinking in Youth

Publications

27 Nov 2025

Labour, Migration and Social Policies

Martyna Gliniecka

Zuzanna Stańska

Martyna Gliniecka

Senior Social Sciences Researcher
Dr Martyna Gliniecka is a Senior Social Sciences Researcher at the CASE - Center for Social and Economic Research. At CASE, she specialises in social research and policy projects, with a focus on qualitative research, participatory methods, and equality, diversity and inclusion. She previously led and participated in research projects in the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, aiming to better young people’s lives and their resilience in the domains of technology and health. She specialises in qualitative research methods, participatory methodologies, and digital research (e.g., digital ethnography). She is especially interested in online communities and their role in the growing domain of youth digital health.

Articles from this author:
- Fact or Fiction? Critical thinking and digital resilience among young people, parents and teachers in Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania
  The Fact or Fiction report summarises insights from consultations with 95 young people and 30 parents and teachers across Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. It explores how adolescents use the Internet, which risks they identify, how they assess their critical thinking skills, and what support they need.
- Divisions of Powers. Multi-level Governance Structures in Armenia and Azerbaijan
  This publication provides an overview of the institutional decentralisation levels in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Each chapter outlines the legal foundations of the governance structures in each country and describes how powers and responsibilities are distributed across different tiers of government.
- Doctoral Education and Training in Europe
Author’s articles
Zuzanna Stańska

Specialist in Social Sciences
Zuzanna Stańska is a Social Sciences Specialist at CASE - Center for Social and Economic Research, where she conducts qualitative research on adult and youth education, lifelong learning, migration, and social policy. Her work explores how individuals and communities adapt to social and technological change, with a particular focus on educational equity, digital transformation, and the inclusion of groups at risk of marginalisation.

Articles from this author:
- Fact or Fiction? Critical thinking and digital resilience among young people, parents and teachers in Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania
  The Fact or Fiction report summarises insights from consultations with 95 young people and 30 parents and teachers across Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. It explores how adolescents use the Internet, which risks they identify, how they assess their critical thinking skills, and what support they need.
- Qualifications Beyond Borders: Recognition of Ukrainian Diplomas and Qualifications in Poland
- Intergenerational Dialogue for the Future of My City
  The publication is an educator's guidebook designed to inspire and support discussions between youth and elderly participants about shaping the future of urban environments. Created as part of the "Future for All" project by CASE (Center for Social and Economic Research), this guidebook uses Warsaw as a case study but provides adaptable insights for cities globally. It is funded by the European Economic Area and Norwegian Financial Mechanism (2014–2021). The guidebook delves into critical themes, including: Demography: Addressing the implications of an ageing population, declining birth rates, and migration patterns for urban planning and social cohesion. Migration: Exploring the integration of diverse populations and fostering intercultural and intergenerational understanding. Climate Change: Highlighting urban sustainability through public initiatives like green spaces and waste reduction. Digitalisation: Emphasizing smart city development while bridging the generational digital divide. Central to its approach are intergenerational activities that foster collaboration and mutual understanding, with a focus on scenario planning, problem-solving, and community engagement. This resource equips educators with tools to promote critical thinking and inclusivity, encouraging young and older citizens alike to actively shape resilient and sustainable urban communities.
Author’s articles

This publication is designed to support teachers, educators and facilitators in implementing critical thinking (CT) strategies with young people aged 12–19.

The materials include six full-length scenarios and 15 short exercises tailored to different age groups (12–14, 15–17 and 18–19). Each activity fosters essential CT skills through relatable, engaging and participatory experiences rooted in real-world contexts and shared European values. These guidelines offer practical advice for effective use of the materials in classroom and non-formal settings. Ideas for exercises from this workbook have been created based on consultations with 95 young people aged 12 to 19 from Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. They have also been pilot tested in those countries.

Supporting a Critical Thinking culture
To support a lasting culture of critical thinking, it’s important to go beyond individual activities and create an environment where inquiry and reflection are part of everyday learning. Do your best to encourage curiosity
Guidelines for teachers and educators on how to use the Manual and openness by sharing your own process of questioning information and fact-checking, showing students that critical thinking is a lifelong skill. Create a safe space where all voices are heard and respected – especially those that offer different or dissenting perspectives. Celebrate the effort students put into thinking critically, not just when they find the “right” answer but when they ask thoughtful questions or reflect on their assumptions. Finally, use real-world examples – such as current events or historical situations – to help students see the relevance of what they’re learning and connect it to the broader world around them.

Connecting to the European context
Each activity in this publication is inspired by shared European experiences – drawing on history, geography and contemporary challenges such as disinformation, social and economic challenges, etc. These themes help students see themselves as active citizens within a diverse but interconnected Europe. Through engaging with these topics, learners are encouraged to appreciate multiple perspectives, recognize biases in media and information, and understand the significance of democratic values, solidarity and human rights. While examples are provided within the materials, educators are encouraged to adapt or create their own scenarios based on current events, hot topics or the specific interests and concerns of their students. This flexibility ensures the activities remain relevant, relatable and responsive to the ever-changing social and political landscape.

This Manual has been created as part of the project called Fact or Fiction: Developing Inquiry and Critical Thinking Skills in Youth, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

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Fact or Fiction Workshop Manual for Developing Digital Resilience and Critical Thinking in Youth

Martyna Gliniecka

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Zuzanna Stańska

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