Curriculum Overhaul: Tackling Fake News and Extremism in Schools

UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced a curriculum review to teach schoolchildren how to spot extremist content and fake news online. The initiative follows recent far-right riots in UK cities fuelled by misinformation. The updated curriculum aims to embed critical thinking skills across multiple subjects to arm children against disinformation.

In response to recent far-right riots across UK cities fuelled by misinformation on social media, schoolchildren will soon be taught how to spot extremist content and fake news online. This proposed change to the curriculum was announced by UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

Speaking to 'The Daily Telegraph', Phillipson revealed plans to review the curriculum in primary and secondary schools to embed critical thinking skills across various subjects. The aim is to arm children against the "putrid conspiracy theories" spreading online, she said. This may involve analyzing articles in English lessons to differentiate between fabricated clickbait and accurate reports.

"It's more important than ever that we equip young people with the knowledge and skills to challenge what they see online," Phillipson told the newspaper. "Our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to protect our children from disinformation and fake news."

The update came as Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, warned about the dangers of disinformation during the recent violent clashes. He stressed that "online behavior is not abstract; it has real-world consequences."

The riots began in Southport after false claims about a UK-born teenage male suspect being a Muslim refugee spread like wildfire on social media. The violent clashes, condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "far-right thuggery," spread to other cities leading to tough policing actions and fast-track court hearings.

(With inputs from agencies.)