Children will be taught how to identify extremist content and fake news online under proposed changes to the school curriculum, the Education Secretary has announced.
Bridget Phillipson stated she is launching a review of the curriculum in both primary and secondary schools to integrate critical thinking across various subjects and equip children to resist “repugnant conspiracy theories”.
This could mean that schoolchildren might analyse articles during English lessons to help them distinguish between fabricated clickbait and accurate reporting. Computing lessons might teach them how to recognise fake news sites, and maths lessons could include the analysis of statistics within context.
Ms Phillipson told The Telegraph: “It’s more important than ever that we provide young people with the knowledge and skills to challenge what they encounter online.
“That’s why our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to equip our children against the disinformation, fake news, and repugnant conspiracy theories rampant on social media.
“Our renewed curriculum will always prioritise high and rising standards in core subjects—that’s non-negotiable.”
She added that the curriculum would also aim to broaden students’ access to cultural subjects and “give pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life.”
Riots erupted across the UK after misinformation spread online, falsely claiming that a Muslim asylum seeker was the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported on Saturday that a total of 779 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, with 349 of them charged.
On Friday, two men were sentenced to prison for using social media to incite disorder. Jordan Parlour received a 20-month sentence after pleading guilty to publishing written material intended to incite racial hatred. Tyler Kay was jailed for 38 months for using social media to encourage people to set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers.
It is believed they are the first individuals to be imprisoned over social media posts related to the nationwide riots.
Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Tory councillor, is due to appear in court on Monday after being charged with inciting racial hatred over a post she made on X.
The moderation and regulation of social media have also come under scrutiny following the recent unrest.
New regulations for social media platforms—the Online Safety Act—became law in the UK last year but have not yet fully come into effect.
The law aims to impose rules on companies to keep inappropriate and potentially dangerous content away from vulnerable users.
Starmer hinted on Friday that he would consider further strengthening social media regulations after London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated that the act was “not fit for purpose”.
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