Message from the Head Teacher
Following the changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education this September, three new terminologies have become significant. Today I will share with you these three terms ‘fake news', ‘disinformation’ and ‘misinformation’ elaborate their meaning and the implications these may have on our young people. The growth of the online space and the influence it has on our daily lives means that we are now receiving our news in different ways, such as through social media posts, online news outlets, and digital apps and platforms.
Disinformation is information that is not true and is shared and created with the intent to deceive and mislead. In contrast, misinformation is information that is not true, but it shared and created without the intent to mislead. ‘Fake news’ is a term commonly used to describe disinformation and misinformation that is being presented and shared as reputable news.
Misinformation and disinformation are utilised by a range of individuals and organisations, including political groups and extremists. They can use technology to make their content look like it has come from a trusted source and is backed up by factual evidence, and they can create numerous social media accounts to spread disinformation across the internet, making the content go viral. Through the use of things like predictive algorithms, these views can be spread directly to individuals who are most likely to spread and reinforce those messages.
Misinformation and disinformation can mislead learners, leading to a range of potential harms – including spreading hatred, intolerance, and mistrust. Extremists utilise disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories to help gain increased exposure for their ideas, as well as attracting those with personal grievances who may be susceptible to their hateful narratives.
In school, we will teach children how to keep safe online, including information on disinformation and misinformation. This includes ensuring that learners know how to measure and check authenticity online, and the potential consequences of sharing information that may not be true. PSHE lessons will facilitate discussions around what young people might encounter in the news and provide them with the opportunity to learn about how to sensitively and confidently navigate their feelings and emotions around content that may be factually inaccurate.
Warm regards Iman Basu Roy
