Social media has become the main place people run into false information, cited by 66 percent of respondents, up sharply from 55 percent two years ago.
Television and YouTube followed behind, while one in five said they had come across AI-generated fake news.
The most widely believed myths included claims that electric cars catch fire more often than petrol ones (54 percent), that GMOs harm health (52 percent), and that the shift away from cash enables surveillance and political account-blocking (48 percent).
Conspiracy theories about engineered pandemics and the idea that climate change is entirely natural also featured prominently.
Researchers flagged a smaller group as particularly vulnerable: 19 percent agreed with around half the false claims they were shown, and 11 percent with nearly all of them – a group they described as having susceptibility that is "broad, repetitive and spans many topics."
Asked who they believe is responsible for spreading disinformation, respondents most often pointed to domestic politicians and parties (45 percent), AI-powered bots and trolls (43 percent) and online influencers (35 percent).
The findings also suggest a country that sees itself as increasingly fractured.
Three-quarters said Polish society is more divided than a few years ago, and 72 percent believe online disinformation is fuelling tension between groups.
More than a third reported feeling strong negative emotions towards certain groups because of online content, while 22 percent said it had caused arguments or damaged personal relationships.
Almost half, 47 percent, said disinformation now poses a security threat comparable to a conventional military attack.
Respondents identified several groups they believe should play the leading role in tackling disinformation, including the government and platform administrators, journalists and traditional media, fact-checking organisations, and technology companies such as Google, Meta, TikTok and X.
The survey of 1,000 Poles aged 18 to 75 was conducted between 15 and 25 May 2026, with partners including the Demagog Association, state research institute NASK, fact-checking outlet Konkret24, private broadcaster TVN, media group Ringier Axel Springer and SWPS University.
(ał)
Source: PAP