Students’ Perception of Global Risks in the Context of Exposure to Geopolitical Conflicts: The Effects of Media Amplification and Information Fatigue

Abstract

In the current context, where geopolitical conflicts have intensified, increased exposure to information through the media and digital platforms has become inevitable, necessitating contextualization and analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes an interpretation of young people’s perception of global risks, a topic that has become of  major interest. In other words, this paper aims to investigate how exposure to geopolitical conflicts influences the perception of global risks among students, taking into account the role of media amplification and information fatigue. The theoretical foundation of the research is structured around perspectives and theories from sociology and political science. In this case, the “risk society” theory proposed by Ulrich Beck is a theory capable of highlighting certain nuances regarding the perception of global risks and how they are constructed. When discussing such a topic, it is imperative to employ agenda-setting theory and framing in communication to better explain the influence of the mass media on public perceptions. Furthermore, this paper will also reference Samuel P. Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations as well as Joseph Nye’s theory of soft power. Through such an interdisciplinary approach, the role of international conflicts in shaping the perceived climate of insecurity can be highlighted. At the same time, a methodology based on a quantitative, descriptive-correlational, and approach will be employed. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire, which includes Likert-type items and closed-ended questions, administered to a sample of approximately 200 students in Bucharest. Respondents were selected using the “snowball” sampling method, and data analysis will be conducted using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The results aim to highlight significant relationships between exposure to information about geopolitical conflicts and the level of information fatigue. Furthermore, the research seeks to emphasize how information overload can contribute to intensifying perceptions of insecurity and anxiety among students. This paper contributes to understanding the mechanisms through which information and the geopolitical context influence individual perceptions, while also providing relevant insights for the fields of education, communication, and public policy in the context of contemporary global challenges.