The UK government said on Sunday that schools in England could teach children how to spot extremist and online content that spreads “putrid conspiracy theories,” under planned changes to the national curriculum.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was launching a review of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools to introduce critical thinking across multiple subjects.
This comes after recent riots in more than a dozen English cities and towns following the knife attack in Southport, which officials say were fuelled by online misinformation and far-right agitators.
The stabbing, allegedly carried out by British-born Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time, left three children dead. Police have not revealed a motive for the attack but have said it is not being treated as terrorism.
Online speculation immediately after the tragedy falsely claimed that Rudakubana was a Muslim immigrant.
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“It’s more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to challenge what they see online,” Phillipson told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.
“That’s why our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills into lessons to arm our children against the misinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories that flood social media.”
Under the planned changes, students would analyze newspaper articles in English classes to help spot fabricated clickbait, while computer science classes would include analyzing statistics in context.
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However, the review is not expected to report its findings and recommendations until next year, meaning the reforms would not come into effect until the school year beginning in September 2025, the Telegraph reported.
The measures are expected to be combined with tighter regulation of social media sites and online content, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggesting imminent action on Friday.
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