Tackling Misinformation

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• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Introduction

This lesson teaches your students about misinformation; what it is, why it is important to recognise and how they can deal with it. There is a blank slide at the end of this presentation for you to copy and edit if you would like to include any information of your own.

Instructions

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Learning Objectives

1. Understand what misinformation is

2. Examine why it could be dangerous

3. evaluate how to ensure you recognise it where possible

What does 'misinformation' mean?

Misinformation

According to the Oxford Dictionary, misinformation is defined as:

"the act of giving wrong information about something” -This can be done either by mistake or deliberately.

So, it sounds pretty simple, and easy to avoid right? But... It also notes that ‘misinformation’ can involve the sharing of false information, knowingly or unknowingly.

What does that mean for me?

It means that whether you are the one that ‘makes up’ fake stories, or shares them - you are still participating in the spreading of misinformation. Something that is become much more common in the political arena of the world today.

Do you agree that misinformation is a problem?

Why it's important

Tackling misinformation is important because it protects public health, preserves democratic processes, maintains social stability, and builds public trust.

The issue has become more urgent with generative AI and social media platforms, which can amplify false or misleading content at an unprecedented scale.

In 2025, the World Economic Forum named misinformation and disinformation the top short-term global risk.

How do we do it?

1. Media Literacy

2. Safety and Security

3. Cultural Awareness

4. Ethics

Media Literacy

You should be able to navigate the online environment. This includes finding credible sources, evaluating them, and utilising them effectively. It also involves being aware of bias and misinformation. This is where your critical thinking skills are vital.

What bias can you see here? How would your opinion on the case change depending on the version you read?

click the image to expand

Safety and Security

When you visit a website you leave a digital footprint. This means the website collects user data about you, including cookies that monitor your digital activity.

Be cautious about what information you share!

Know how to use privacy settings,

set cookie preferences and

turn off geotagging features in photos.

Cultural Awareness

To understand and appreciate the differences between cultures. When we recognise and respect different beliefs, values, and customs it allows us to improve our social engagement, but should also help you decide if what you are reading or watching seems ‘off’ or crosses the line into racism.

Being online should push us to learn about other cultures so we can interact with a diverse range of people in positive ways.

Ethics

It is important as a life skill. that you should know how to find credible information online and share it responsibly.

This includes proper use of copyrighted materials and knowing how to fact-check and cite your sources.

Failing to give credit is plagiarism. But quoting misinformation, fake news or made-up facts just makes you look foolish...

Top Tips

• Verify information by checking trusted sources, reverse image search, and using fact-checking websites like Snopes or academic research.

• Pause before sharing sensational or emotionally charged content, verify the original source, and look for reliable URL endings (.gov, .org, .edu).

• Recognise potential signs of misinformation, such as poor grammar, unbelievable claims, or emails from unknown sources, and to trust their instincts if something feels wrong.

What role do critical thinking skills play?

A

They help evaluate information effectively

B

They complicate understanding

C

They only confuse the issue

D

They are unnecessary

Why is fact-checking important?

A

It's not necessary

B

It prevents the spread of falsehoods

C

It takes too much time

D

It's only for journalists

What should you do with suspicious claims?

A

Ignore them completely

B

Investigate further before believing

C

Accept them as true

D

Share them immediately

How can you spot fake news?

A

Look for multiple reliable sources

B

Trust headlines only

C

Follow social media trends

D

Ask friends for opinions

What is one way to verify information?

A

Believe everything you read

B

Ignore conflicting evidence

C

Share without checking

D

Check the source's credibility