Fact Vs. Fiction

1. Fake news is not new, but technology has accelerated its spread

"Although the technology used to propagate it has changed, fake news is not a new problem."

Historical context: Fake news has been a part of human communication for centuries. Benjamin Franklin created a fake newspaper supplement in 1782 to sway public opinion during the American Revolution. Woodrow Wilson established the Committee on Public Information in 1914 to manage news about World War I.

Technology's impact: The internet and social media have dramatically increased the speed and reach of fake news. Today, anyone with a smartphone can create and share content globally in seconds. This has led to:

• The rise of "citizen journalism"
• Increased competition for attention and clicks
• Blurred lines between fact and fiction
• The creation of filter bubbles and echo chambers

The ease of sharing information online has made it more challenging to distinguish credible sources from unreliable ones, making media literacy skills more critical than ever.

2. Our brains are wired to believe information that confirms our existing beliefs

"Even though the stakes are higher, the brain's ability to distinguish real from fake under the constant barrage of new information is diminished."

Confirmation bias: Our brains naturally seek out information that supports our existing beliefs and disregards contradictory evidence. This psychological tendency makes us vulnerable to fake news that aligns with our preconceptions.

Cognitive overload: The sheer volume of information we encounter daily overwhelms our ability to critically evaluate each piece. As a result:

• We often rely on mental shortcuts to process information quickly
• Emotionally charged content is more likely to capture our attention
• We tend to trust information shared by people we know, even if it's not credible

To combat these natural tendencies, we must actively cultivate skepticism and critical thinking skills, teaching ourselves and our students to pause and evaluate information before accepting or sharing it.

3. Social media platforms have become primary news sources, blurring credibility

"According to a 2017 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans (67%) report getting at least some news on social media."

Changing news consumption: Social media has fundamentally altered how people, especially younger generations, access and engage with news. This shift has significant implications:

• Information from various sources is mixed together in social media feeds
• Algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy, potentially amplifying sensational content
• Users often trust content shared by friends and family, regardless of its original source

Credibility challenges: The social media news landscape presents unique difficulties in evaluating information:

• Sponsored content and ads can be difficult to distinguish from genuine news
• Click-bait headlines and viral content often overshadow more nuanced reporting
• The speed of information sharing can outpace fact-checking efforts

Educators must help students navigate this complex media environment by teaching them to critically evaluate sources, recognize bias, and seek out diverse perspectives.

4. Fake news erodes empathy and civil discourse in society

"Fake news affects our ability to empathize with others and to consider that points of views that contradict our own might also be valid."

Social impact: The proliferation of fake news and misinformation has far-reaching consequences for society:

• Increased polarization and division among different groups
• Erosion of trust in institutions and traditional media sources
• Difficulty in finding common ground for constructive dialogue

Empathy deficit: Exposure to fake news can lead to:

• Reinforcement of stereotypes and prejudices
• Dehumanization of people with different viewpoints
• Decreased willingness to engage with opposing perspectives

To counter these effects, educators must focus on developing students' empathy and perspective-taking skills alongside their critical thinking abilities. This includes teaching respectful dialogue, active listening, and the importance of seeking out diverse viewpoints.

5. Critical thinking and media literacy skills are essential in the digital age

"We cannot afford for that to be eroded by two words that have been tossed around so much we hardly notice them anymore. We wanted to write this book because truth matters."

Core skills: In the face of information overload and deliberate misinformation, critical thinking and media literacy have become essential life skills. These include:

• Evaluating source credibility
• Recognizing bias and propaganda techniques
• Fact-checking and cross-referencing information
• Understanding the difference between fact and opinion

Educational imperative: Schools must prioritize teaching these skills across all subjects and grade levels. This involves:

• Integrating media literacy into existing curricula
• Providing students with opportunities to practice evaluating real-world information
• Teaching students to use fact-checking tools and resources
• Encouraging skepticism and questioning of information sources

By equipping students with these skills, we empower them to navigate the complex information landscape and make informed decisions as citizens.

6. Educators play a crucial role in combating fake news and misinformation

"As educators, we are not immune to either of those urges. In the chapters ahead we'll share examples and data that might challenge some of your existing beliefs."

Teacher responsibilities: Educators must:

• Recognize and address their own biases and information literacy gaps
• Stay informed about current events and digital trends
• Model critical thinking and responsible information sharing

Classroom strategies: Effective approaches to teaching media literacy include:

• Using real-world examples and current events in lessons
• Encouraging student-led fact-checking and source evaluation
• Creating safe spaces for discussing controversial topics
• Collaborating with librarians and media specialists

Challenges: Educators may face obstacles such as:

• Limited time and resources
• Concerns about discussing sensitive topics
• Keeping up with rapidly changing technology and information landscapes

Despite these challenges, educators must prioritize media literacy education to prepare students for the complexities of the digital world.

7. Mobile devices require new approaches to evaluating information credibility

"Content looks different on our phones than it does on a more traditional device."

Mobile-first mindset: With most students accessing information primarily through smartphones, educators must adapt their teaching strategies:

• Recognize that mobile interfaces can blur distinctions between ads and content
• Teach students to navigate mobile-specific features (e.g., news apps, push notifications)
• Address the challenges of limited screen space for displaying context and source information

New evaluation techniques: Traditional methods for assessing credibility may not apply to mobile content. Students need to learn:

• How to access additional information about sources on mobile platforms
• Techniques for fact-checking on-the-go
• Ways to manage and curate their mobile news feeds effectively

Educators should incorporate mobile devices into media literacy lessons, allowing students to practice evaluating information in the same format they encounter it outside of school.

8. Collaboration between teachers and librarians strengthens media literacy efforts

"Classroom teachers and teacher-librarians are an unbeatable team in the fight against fake news."

Synergistic partnership: Teachers and librarians bring complementary skills and perspectives to media literacy education:

• Teachers provide subject-specific context and integration opportunities
• Librarians offer expertise in information evaluation and research techniques

Collaborative strategies:

• Co-planning and co-teaching media literacy lessons
• Developing cross-curricular projects that incorporate information literacy skills
• Creating school-wide initiatives to promote critical thinking and responsible information use

Challenges: Many schools face obstacles to effective collaboration:

• Limited time for joint planning
• Reduction in library staff and resources
• Lack of administrative support for collaborative efforts

Despite these challenges, fostering strong partnerships between teachers and librarians is crucial for comprehensive media literacy education.

9. Empowering students to curate reliable news feeds is a key 21st-century skill

"We must also add the goal of teaching learners to be notification curators to our existing media literacy objectives."

Notification generation: Today's students rely heavily on push notifications and personalized news feeds for information. Educators must teach them to:

• Critically evaluate the sources of their notifications
• Customize their feeds to include diverse, reliable sources
• Recognize and counteract algorithmic bias in their information streams

Curation skills: Students need to learn:

• How to identify credible news sources across various platforms
• Techniques for fact-checking and cross-referencing information
• Strategies for balancing different perspectives in their news consumption

Long-term impact: By empowering students to curate their own reliable news feeds, educators help them:

• Develop lifelong habits of critical information consumption
• Stay informed about important issues beyond their immediate interests
• Become more engaged and discerning citizens in the digital age

Teaching these curation skills prepares students to navigate the ever-changing information landscape long after they leave the classroom.

Last updated: March 21, 2025