The impact of fake news
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can define and explain the impact of fake news.
Key learning points
- Fake news is untrue information or hoaxes spread through the internet or traditional media.
- Fake news is often used to influence opinions, create confusion or generate clicks.
- The internet and social media have made it much faster and easier to spread fake news.
- You can fact check fake news by checking sources of information, and using reliable fact checking websites.
Keywords
Fake news - news that contains deliberate disinformation
Misinformation - false or inaccurate information that is shared without the intent to trick people
Disinformation - false information that is created and shared with the intent to mislead and trick people
Reliable - something that is accurate, trustworthy and from a credible source that can be verified
Common misconception
Fake news is easy to spot because it’s obviously false or silly.
Fake news is often designed to look real and believable. It can mimic trusted sources, use partial truths, or appeal to emotions to trick people. It’s important to check information sources and think critically, even if a post seems convincing.
Teacher tip
Use current examples and ask learners guiding questions like, “Who wrote this?” and “Can this be verified?” to promote discussion and scepticism.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its definition:
simulated cyberattack to test a system
protection of systems and data
authorised professional who tests for vulnerabilities
Q2.Which type of penetration test is performed with no prior knowledge of the system being tested?
Q3.Which of the following is true about penetration testing?
Q4.Arrange the stages of a penetration test in the correct order:
Q5.What is a likely outcome if vulnerabilities are found during a penetration test?
Q6.Which of these best describes network forensics?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each action to the best description:
sharing a story after checking its accuracy
creating a hoax to trick people
believing and sharing a rumour you think is true
Q2.Arrange these steps for fact-checking a news story:
Q3.What word describes a piece of information that can be verified and is trustworthy?
Q4.How has the internet affected the spread of fake news?
Q5.What is one way to help stop the spread of fake news?
Q6.Which statement best explains why fake news is not always easy to spot?
To help you plan your 11 computer science lesson on: The impact of fake news, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 computer science lesson on: The impact of fake news, 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 computer science lessons from the Cyber threats and security unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.