Fake News and bullying in schools

This course introduces the concept of fake news, defining it as false or misleading information presented as authentic news. It’s a prevalent issue affecting various media platforms and has the potential to negatively impact society, particularly school students, in several ways. Fake news can spread misinformation leading to misunderstandings, it can undermine trust in media and institutions, create a distorted reality, and even manipulate public opinion or interfere with elections.

The course stresses the importance of students being able to critically evaluate information they encounter to protect themselves from being misled and become informed, responsible citizens. However, it’s challenging to measure the prevalence of fake news in schools due to varying factors, such as the specific school or country and the types of information sources used.

The role of educators and school administrators is emphasized in the fight against fake news. By providing resources and instruction on media literacy, fostering critical thinking, and promoting the use of reliable sources, they can equip students with the skills to identify and avoid fake news.