The National Network for Children – Bulgaria has published a very informative text on conspiracy theories and their effect on children, discussing contextual particularities and influential social networks such as QAnon.

  • Bulgarian society is prone to believe in conspiracy theories, misinformation and propaganda because the government and public institutions do not provide reliable information; because the educational system does not include civic education neither focuses on critical thinking, and because of the declining number of independent media and journalists.  
  • QAnon – a branch of complex conspiracy theory according to which the neoliberal American elite is involved in a conspiracy and a paedophile network. This global elite controls media, Hollywood and much more, while personalities such as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton hold a secret war with them. This story keeps popularity as it bases itself on fears of people related to their children.
  • QAnon theory appeared in 2016 but it is reviving this year under another popular story version – a person or a group has access to classified information in the US Department of Energy and military intelligence -and spread in some places such as the UK with hashtag SaveTheChildren.
  • As a subculture with millions of followers, QAnon is a way of thinking which activates ‘in times of crisis, a sense of system breakdown, an uncontrollable flow of information’ – BBC shares the interest in the theory has grown with 700% since the beginning of the pandemic.
  • QAnon is a dangerous theory as it is connected with white supremacists and far-right extremism, and as such its messages are of anti-Semitic nature (e.g. accusations towards George Soros and the Rothschild family).
  • Characteristics of other conspiracy theories – based on myths; having no real arguments/evidence; rumours; half-truths or lies – tend to be engraved in personal/public opinions, and thus carrying the power to influence law-making.
  • In Bulgaria, an important social reform - the Law on Social Services which aims to prevent violence against children – was delayed following the story of parents in Karnobat and Sliven who pulled their children away from schools due to a rumour the kids will be taken by social workers.
  • The Bulgarian Strategy for the Child – a concept for the overall child-centred policy - was not accepted either as misinformation that the strategy goes against family values and will violate parents’ rights was well-spread around the media.  
  • NGOs, foster parents and other organizations supporting children at risk, children with disabilities or promoting the importance of sexual education were also attacked as their work aims to sell children in Norway, to introduce masturbation at kindergartens, and to pursue “Sorosoid” policies.
  • Misinformation and conspiracy theories have a direct negative effect on children`s health, education, security, rights, and policies, and moreover contribute to distrust in entire governments, institutions and NGOs, social workers included. Children`s health is put at risk when public opinion rejects vaccines and/or sexual education.    
  • Conspiracy theories promote non - acceptance and reject tolerance – “calls for a return to the traditional family in its negative sense of obedience and corporal punishment. Perception of the child only as the property of the parents and subject to influence without rights.”

Childhub

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