Results of the 2026 Survey on the Actual Situation of ICT Literacy Released: The Ratio of Those Who Answered All Incorrectly on the Literacy Test is Twice as High Among Those Who Have Spread Misinformation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications conducted a survey on the actual situation of ICT literacy to understand users' awareness of ICT literacy and the tendency to spread misinformation. The results are as follows:

The survey found that among those who have spread misinformation, 48.9% answered all questions incorrectly on the ICT literacy test, which is approximately twice the ratio of those who did not spread misinformation (24.7%). This indicates a certain correlation between ICT literacy and the behavior of spreading misinformation.

Furthermore, when asked about their intention to 'stop and think' before spreading information or news encountered on SNS, 79.2% responded that they would stop and think. It was also suggested that having a personal sense of cognitive bias, beyond just knowing about it, may lead to the suppression of misinformation dissemination.

※1 ICT Literacy Test: Created based on 'How to Deal with the Internet ~ To Avoid Being Deceived by Fake and Incorrect Information ~ Second Edition' (https://www.soumu.go.jp/use_the_internet_wisely/special/nisegojouhou/)

※2 Cognitive Bias: The 'habit of thinking' that unconsciously occurs when we judge information. For example, believing only information that matches our own thoughts, preferences, or anxieties.

【Background of the Survey】

This survey was conducted as part of the 'DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION' project, a public-private collaboration initiative aimed at raising awareness of ICT literacy on the Internet and SNS. The project aims to understand the actual situation of ICT literacy among Internet and SNS users, including their awareness of ICT literacy and the tendency to spread misinformation, and to use the results to promote initiatives for improving ICT literacy.

※ICT Literacy: The ability to appropriately utilize information and communication services.

【Key Points of the Survey Results】

When asked about the authenticity of the content of misinformation that had been circulated in the past, 48.4% responded that they thought it was correct or probably correct. On the other hand, among those who had come into contact with misinformation, 20.3% used some means to spread it.

In the ICT literacy test, 5.6% answered all questions correctly, while 39.5% answered all questions incorrectly. When looking at the correct answer rate by experience of spreading misinformation, 48.9% of those who spread misinformation answered all questions incorrectly, which is approximately twice the ratio of those who did not spread misinformation (24.7%).

Among those who responded that they can 'identify deepfakes,' the ratio of those who answered all questions incorrectly on the ICT literacy test was significantly higher (61.5%) compared to those who gave other responses.

83.0% of respondents thought that their own ICT literacy was average or above average.

Although it is said that stopping and thinking before posting or spreading information on SNS, etc. is effective in suppressing the spread of misinformation, etc., when asked about their intention to stop and think about information or news encountered on SNS, 79.2% responded that they would stop and think.

40.3% of respondents knew about cognitive bias, and 46.8% had a personal sense of it. The ratio of those who knew about cognitive bias was higher among those with experience of spreading misinformation (66.5% for those with experience, 52.3% for those without experience). However, the ratio of those who had a personal sense of cognitive bias was higher among those without experience of spreading misinformation (54.3% for those with experience, 59.3% for those without experience). This suggests that understanding and being aware of cognitive bias as something that can also occur in oneself may lead to careful information judgment and suppression of dissemination.

80.6% of respondents answered that they might come into contact with misinformation, etc. when using the Internet or SNS, and 56.4% answered that they might believe or be deceived by misinformation, etc.

65.8% of respondents answered that they were not taking specific measures to improve ICT literacy. The most common reason for not implementing measures was 'not knowing how to take measures' (50.4%).

※3 Deepfake: A term combining 'deep learning (deep layer learning)' and 'fake (fake)', characterized by AI-synthesized audio, images, or video content that is mistakenly displayed as genuine or true, depicting actions or statements that people have not made or done.

【Survey Overview】

Survey Period

May 8, 2026 to May 13, 2026

Survey Area

All 47 prefectures in Japan

Survey Target Attributes

Men and women aged 15 and over

Number of Survey Targets

5,640 people

Survey Items

Awareness of ICT literacy among users, trends in the spread of misinformation, etc.

Survey Method

Internet survey

【About 'DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION' / Future Initiatives Based on Survey Results】

'DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION' is an awareness-raising project launched with the aim of improving ICT literacy among a wide range of generations on the Internet and SNS, through public-private collaboration. Platform operators, telecommunications operators, IT-related companies, and related organizations that support the purpose are participating.

Under the direction of 'generation-appropriate diverse dissemination and enlightenment,' 'ingenuity in service design on SNS and digital services,' and 'ingenuity in displaying highly reliable information,' the project is promoting initiatives such as the creation of dissemination and enlightenment materials, the holding of seminars and symposia, and public relations activities to further improve ICT literacy. The content of these initiatives is published on the website as needed. Based on the results of this survey, we will continue to implement initiatives such as policies that contribute to improving ICT literacy and awareness-raising initiatives focused on cognitive bias.

While the Internet makes our lives more enjoyable and convenient, there are times when we cannot obtain accurate information or are misled by misinformation, false information, fake videos, fraudulent advertisements, defamation, and slander. To make the digital space, which has become a part of our daily lives, a place where everyone can feel secure, we will continue to work with companies and organizations that support the information society to create a secure information society.

Official Website URL of 'DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION': https://www.soumu.go.jp/dpa/