On 29 January 2026, Inclusive Europe hosted the SMIDGE International Conference “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe” at the NH Brussels EU Berlaymont. Bringing together policymakers, researchers, journalists, security experts and civil society representatives, the event created a much-needed space to examine the role of middle-aged adults in today’s online extremism ecosystem - a demographic that remains under-researched despite being highly active and influential online.

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Keynote: The “Sandwich Generation” and Digital Vulnerability

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In the keynote, Dr. Sara Wilford, who is an associate professor at De Montfort University and also the founder and co-leader of the project, highlighted the specific position of middle-aged adults, often described as the “sandwich generation”, who may feel undervalued at work, pressured by rapid social and technological change, and nostalgic for a perceived past stability. While everyone is vulnerable to disinformation, SMIDGE seeks to understand why this group may be particularly susceptible to narratives built around nostalgia, outrage and perceived loss. Unlike legacy media, social media and online news are not bound by the same legal accuracy standards, creating an environment where emotionally charged misinformation can thrive.

 

Panel I: Presentation of SMIDGE Findings

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The first panel presented core findings from the SMIDGE project. Prof. Giovanni Ziccardi from the Milan University addressed the legal dimension, asking how law can effectively respond to conspiracy theories and disinformation without undermining fundamental rights. He argued for a shift from repression to risk governance, stressing that conspiracy theories are not merely a content problem but a governance problem. Media literacy efforts, he suggested, must move beyond a youth-centric focus toward lifelong epistemic resilience.

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Dr. Line Nybro Petersen from the University of Copenhagen explored the concept of “hybridisation,” describing how extremist dynamics involve not only the blending of ideologies but also aesthetics and digital practices. She outlined four dimensions of hybridity - content, technological, aesthetic and participatory practices - and identified key features of “HYPE spaces,” where influential actors, collaborative narrative-building, ambiguity and weaponised irony interact.

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Dr. Kalypso Iordanou and Dr. Vasiliki Christodoulou from UCLan Cyprus presented survey and focus group findings on middle-aged adults’ social media engagement. Their research shows that increased time spent on social media correlates with lower ability to distinguish disinformation from accurate information. On immigration-related issues in particular, misinformation discernment levels were significantly lower.

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Christian Gulas from FAS Research introduced the idea of a “surplus of meaning,” where an overabundance of narratives fuels digital polarisation. He explained how emotionally charged content spreads more effectively online, particularly when framed as violations of core moral values. Moral framing, he noted, activates specific emotions and reinforces divisions.

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Fabrizio Boldrini from FVM presented the SMIDGE MOOC platform, which offers free expert-led courses on digital literacy, ethics in journalism, cognitive biases, media ecosystems and online conspiracy theories. The platform aims to equip journalists with practical tools and greater awareness in shaping media narratives responsibly.

 

Panel II: Media and Cultural Perspectives

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​The second panel shifted the focus to media, storytelling and cultural production. Jason Lee from De Montfort University introduced the SMIDGE documentary, Middle Rage – Social Media and the War on Democracy, and reflected on the process behind its creation. Following the screening, filmmakers Sian Hamlett and Mitchell Harris, who developed the documentary together with Jason, joined him for a discussion on how visual storytelling can both reinforce and challenge extremist narratives.

 

Panel III: Common Challenges and Best Practices

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Panel III brought together representatives of EU-funded projects to exchange approaches and lessons learned. Dr.

Line Nybro Petersen presented research on networked conspiracy communities, using the “Uncle Shrimp” case, an online harassment campaign involving a Danish children’s TV character, to illustrate how participatory practices blur the boundaries between entertainment and ideology. She highlighted the challenges of prevention, including platform incentive structures, media amplification dilemmas, policy communication gaps and the need for greater user awareness.

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Dr. Sandra Obradovic and Dr. Joana Ricarte introduced OppAttune’s work on “everyday extremism.” Rather than focusing on who becomes extremist, the project examines the conditions that enable extremist ideas to spread. Through tools and measurement scales, OppAttune seeks to strengthen democratic skills and move from a purely formal understanding of democracy toward a “living democracy.”

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Louise Burté presented the ARENAS project, which analyses how extremist narratives circulate and develops remediation strategies, particularly for young audiences. Workshops implemented in schools across several European countries show measurable improvements in students’ ethical awareness, empathy and critical thinking. A dedicated platform for high school students is now under development.

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Seyma Celem introduced the ENCODE project, which explores how emotions drive political decision-making and public discourse. Moving beyond the idea that politics is purely rational, ENCODE examines how emotional expression - online and offline - shapes democratic engagement. Through sentiment analysis, cross-country research and citizen innovation labs, the project aims to develop evidence-based tools and foster more constructive, emotionally inclusive narratives.

 

Panel IV: From Evidence to Action

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The final panel translated research insights into policy and practice. Anna De Marchi from DG CONNECT outlined the European Commission’s efforts to strengthen platform accountability under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Very large platforms are required to assess and mitigate systemic risks, including disinformation and polarisation, with the Commission empowered to open investigations where necessary. Broader initiatives such as the European Democracy Shield and enhanced data access provisions aim to reinforce transparency, resilience and coordinated responses to emerging digital threats.

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Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck from Lie Detectors addressed both the demand and supply sides of disinformation. By partnering journalists with schools, Lie Detectors promotes media literacy and critical thinking among students and teachers. She highlighted generational gaps in digital spaces and called for stronger investment in scalable education initiatives and teacher training to build long-term resilience.

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Becky Slack from Agenda emphasised the importance of communication strategies. Fact-checking alone, she argued, has limited impact in emotionally charged environments. Complementary approaches, such as pre-bunking, reframing, trust-building language and working with credible non-political messengers, are essential. Offline contexts also matter: online extremism often flourishes where journalism is weak and community ties are fragile.

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Saman Nazari from Alliance4Europe presented a shift from monitoring influence operations to actively disrupting them. Their framework, structured around preparation, disruption and mitigation, combines documentation, analytical tools, regulatory engagement and collaboration with platforms, law enforcement and civil society. Through the Counter Disinformation Network (CDN), Alliance4Europe connects journalists, researchers and practitioners across Europe to detect and counter coordinated information manipulation, aiming to strengthen coordination across local, national and EU levels.

 

Conclusion

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The conference underscored that middle-aged adults are neither passive bystanders nor marginal actors in the digital sphere. They are central participants in contemporary information ecosystems - as consumers, sharers, professionals and community members. Addressing online extremism therefore requires a shift toward lifelong digital resilience, cross-sector collaboration and emotionally aware strategies.

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By connecting research findings, cultural insights and policy discussions, The Invisible Middle contributed to a more nuanced understanding of online extremism and strengthened dialogue on practical, evidence-based responses.

Download the full conference programme here.