Researchers from the Israel Internet Association (ISOC-IL) presented two original studies addressing key challenges at the intersection of Internet policy, digital society, and online trust and safety at the annual conference of the Israel Communication Association on July 5, 2026.
In a session exploring the intersection of religion, gender and media in Israel’s diverse communities, Dima Assad-Nikola, ISOC-IL’s Head of Digital Inclusion Programs, presented “Internet in Ultra-Orthodox Society in 2025: Usage Patterns, Accessibility, and Digital Literacy Skills.” The study was authored by the Askaria Research Institute on behalf of ISOC-IL, and provides a comprehensive analysis of Internet adoption, accessibility barriers, and digital literacy within Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox community–a population characterized by cautious and selective engagement with digital technologies. The presentation highlighted intriguing findings and prompted a deeper discussion on digital inclusion, equitable access to online opportunities made possible by Internet connectivity, and the public policies that shape them.
At the session “On Guard: News, Emotion, and the Fight Against Influence Operations,” Nitsan Yasur, ISOC-IL’s Disinformation and Digital Investigations Lead, presented the ISOC-IL study “Ballistic Fakes: Disinformation and Fact-Checking Efforts During the Israel-Iran War.” Co-authored with Yael Ram, ISOC-IL’s Head of Cyber Policy and Academic Relations, and Edan Ring, ISOC-IL’s Vice President of Community Affairs, the research examines how disinformation spread online during the Israel-Iran war and analyzes the role of fact-checking initiatives in Israel and around the world in identifying false content, limiting its impact, and strengthening public resilience against online manipulation.
Together, these cutting-edge studies reflect ISOC-IL’s commitment to producing independent, evidence-based research that informs public discourse and supports policies promoting a safer, more inclusive and trustworthy Internet for the entire spectrum of Israeli society.