In a world where hoaxes and fake news spread daily on the Internet, teaching young people
to question whether information is true is a fundamental challenge for society. But for the
moment, teachers are losing the battle. Only 22.5% of Spanish adolescents aged 14 to 16
claim to have received training on the development of critical thinking to assess information
(FAD, 2019)
The new forms of access to information have led in recent years to an increase in concern
about the so-called fake news or false news. We understand fake news as hoaxes and
intentionally misleading news through the media and, above all, through social networks.
Disinformation is one of the major concerns of democratic countries. Behind fake news or fake
news are often strategies to manipulate public opinion and erode the stability of States and
their institutions.
Hoaxes and disinformation have long represented a global threat to freedom and democracy.
Although this is a problem that affects all Internet users whatever their age and condition, it is
clear that the way in which adolescents today access information, with a greater predominance
of social networks over traditional media, makes them more vulnerable to false information. It
is true that their nature as digital natives, that is, having been born immersed in new
technologies, should make them more skilled at identifying hoaxes and fake news. But reality
shows that this is not the case, and that digital and media literacy is essential for young people
to know how to use the tools available to them.
At the same time, many teachers do not have sufficient training or teaching resources to be
able to train their students in the management of misinformation.
Educational centers play a fundamental role, they must train their students to know how to
consume information on the Internet and to be free citizens trained to make informed
decisions. The European strategy in this respect is set out in the European Union's Digital
Education Action Plan (2021-2027). This is a joint policy initiative of all EU countries aimed at
achieving quality, inclusive and accessible digital education, offering support to all member
states to adapt education and training systems to the digital age.
The work of teachers is key in the creation of critical thinking to combat misinformation and
the dangers arising from it.
The objectives that the project want to achieve are:
● Provide educational resources to teachers to train them in the detection, verification
and management of misinformation through media and information literacy (Priority:
Supporting teachers).
● Develop two digital tools (online educational platform and educational chatbot) for
training and educational resources (Priority: Address digital transformation and
Support teachers).
● Design educational resources for teachers to implement actions in the classroom
(Priority: Support teachers).
● Achieve real measurable impact through the education community and other
stakeholders, helping them become aware of the importance of being well-informed
for the development of a full democratic life (Priority: Developing key competencies
and Supporting teachers).
PARTNERS
P1 – Universitas Nebrissensis - Spain
P2 – Formative Footprint – Spain
P3 – BrainLog – Denmark
P4 - European Center of Entrepreneurship Competence & Excellence - Austria
P5 - Odpovědná společnost, z. s. 32 SU s izuchavane na chuzhdi ezici - Czech Republic
P6 - "Sv.Kliment Ohridski" - Bulgaria
P7 - BLOCKCHAIN2050- Netherlands