Fake news is a term used to describe deliberate misinformation or false stories that are circulated on various media platforms with the intent to deceive or mislead people. It can be spread through social media, online news websites, television, radio, or other forms of media. The negative impacts of fake news on young generations can be quite significant. Firstly, it can affect their critical thinking abilities as they may start to believe in false or misleading information, which can lead to wrong decision-making and judgment. Secondly, it can create a lack of trust in legitimate news sources, leading to confusion and skepticism about what to believe.

Fake news can also create a sense of fear and panic in young people, especially when the information is related to their health, safety, or well-being. It can also fuel negative stereotypes, hate speech, and discrimination toward certain groups or individuals.

In the past weeks, ACTIVE teachers have continued their activities at school and one of the projects in Slovakia has been referred to ‘dismantle’ fake news working with a group of 15 students aged 14 & 15.

The students were asked to provide stories that were either verifiably true or ‘fake news’. Some stories may be based in fact but contain unintentional misinformation, while others contain disinformation to mislead the reader.

One of the results has been the production of a Magazine reporting several news clearly to be considered as obvious made-up stories