What is false information and what can we do about it?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different types of false information and why it is problematic.
Key learning points
- There are different types of false information including misinformation, disinformation and malinformation.
- False information is damaging in a democracy as citizens need to be able to trust the news.
- Regulations can support in limiting the ammount of false news, but social media is more difficult to regulate.
- Citizens should critically evaluate information to consider its accuracy.
Keywords
Democracy - a system of Government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for political representatives.
Misinformation - false or misleading information shared by mistake, without intent to deceive
Disinformation - false information shared deliberately to mislead or harm
Malinformation - true information used out of context to mislead or harm
Regulation - rules or laws to control or guide behaviour for society’s benefit
Common misconception
Social media news posts are always accurate.
There is misinformation within all media, but even more so with social media due to a lack of regulation.
Teacher tip
Show examples of media extracts that have been proven as false so that pupils can see this themselves first hand. Pupils could then critically analyse other extracts themselves.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The media is bound by what?
Q2.Complete the sentence, the media has a duty to report the news...
Q3.Which UK broadcaster must remain politically neutral?
Q4.Investigative journalism supports democracy by reporting on what?
Q5.A media that follows democratic values helps citizens to become what?
Q6.What is the name of a popular British television programme that encourages viewers to debate key issues in society?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name for false information that has not been created with the intention of causing harm?
Q2.Russian reports that Boris Johnson was on a ventilator during the Covid-19 pandemic was an example of what?
Q3.Which type of information is viewed as having a malicious purpose?
Q4.False information can be more of an issue on social media because there is less what?
Q5.In a democracy, how should the media support citizens in the run up to an election?
Q6.Computer programs that people create to look like real people and post/interact in a certain way on social media are called what?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What is false information and what can we do about it?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: What is false information and what can we do about it?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How does the media hold those in power to account? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.