School curriculum in England will teach children how to spot extremist and online content spreading “putrid conspiracy theories”, under the changes proposed to the national curriculum, said the UK government on Sunday.
According to The Economic Times, a review of curriculum in primary and secondary schools to introduce critical thinking would be launched, said Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
The announcement comes amid the recent riots across England after the Southport knife attack, which officials claim were a result of misinformation and far-right agitators.
The stabbings, allegedly done by British-born Alex Rudakubana, who was aged 17 at the time, resulted in the death of three children. Police have not disclosed a suspected motive for the attack but said it is not being treated as terrorism.
Internet users speculated without evidence that the act was carried out by a Muslim immigrant.
“It’s more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able 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 in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media.”
Under the proposed changes, students would be asked to analyse newspaper articles in English classes to help identify fabricated clickbait, while computer classes would include analysing statistics in context.
However, the results and findings of the review will only be reported next year, meaning that the reforms would not come into effect until the school year starting September, 2025, according to Telegraph.
The moves are set to be combined with tougher regulation of social media sites and online content, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggesting imminent action on Friday.
