The F.A.K.E project team is glad to inform you about our main project result: the resource pack for the youth trainers. It is designed to give trainers a general overview of fake news, how it spreads and how you can recognise it. It presents definitions of important terms related to this topic, which deepens the trainers’ knowledge so that he/she can convey it as accurately as possible during the training. Available on the website soon!
Theoretical approach: Aim of the FAKE learning program
Unit 1: Why is fake news so fascinating?
One of the main reasons leading to fake news being spread fast and easily is its simplicity and sensationalism: fake news is almost always sensational; it is all about storytelling. One of the tricks of fake news is to take an everyday event and present it with exaggerated language and misinformation.
Unit 2: Cognitive biases and emotional aspects behind “infodemic” success
The characteristics underlying the ‘infodemic’ are a combination of being cognitively overwhelmed by the little time we have to verify newly available information and a quickly developing field of news. The mixture of these two aspects has led to the complication of having to be open to the latest information, while simultaneously having to be careful not to consume incorrect information.
Unit 3: Discrimination on social media & digital platforms
Youth today receive many messages on social networks and digital platforms that are related to their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. Social networks are not just tools or instruments of discrimination – they are changing oppression by race, gender, and sexuality.
Unit 4: Knowledge, conscious and safe use of social networks
Social networks, which store data about users’ identities and behaviour, pose a major risk. The information posted on social networks can fall into the trap of criminals. The internet opens up huge opportunities for identity theft, which not only undermines a person’s privacy but also causes financial damage. To protect your data on social media, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with your privacy settings, limit the number of people who have access to your personal information, and behave responsibly when posting updates on your own or friends’ profiles.
