Key Points

• Curriculum Review: The UK government is revising the curriculum for both primary and secondary schools, focusing on embedding critical thinking skills across multiple subjects.
• Combating Misinformation: Students will learn how to differentiate between reliable information and false claims. This may include analyzing articles in English lessons to spot fabricated content and clickbait.
• Government’s Rationale: Bridget Phillipson emphasized the need to equip young people with the tools to challenge what they see online, especially in an era where disinformation is widespread on social media.
• Wider Curriculum Goals: The revised curriculum will maintain high standards in core subjects while also providing a broad, knowledge-rich education. This approach is intended to help students succeed in the workplace and throughout their lives.

Context
The curriculum review follows recent riots in Southport, sparked by misinformation about a stabbing incident involving a Muslim refugee. The false claims quickly spread online, leading to violent clashes in several UK cities. The government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attributed the unrest to far-right groups and has taken steps to clamp down on the violence and misinformation.

Police Perspective
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, highlighted the dangers of disinformation, noting that it can have real-world consequences. He called for greater caution in online behavior, suggesting that more harmful content should be deleted rather than shared.

Public Response
In response to the riots, peaceful counter-protests have emerged across the UK, showing strong community opposition to far-right extremism. King Charles III praised these efforts, calling for unity in the face of divisive actions.

Recommendations for the United States
Given the growing influence of social media in the United States, a similar initiative could be highly beneficial. By integrating critical thinking and digital literacy into the education system, the U.S. can help students navigate the vast amount of information available online and protect them from the dangers of misinformation and extremist content. This approach could address the challenges posed by online disinformation, helping to create a more informed and resilient generation.

Conclusion
The UK’s curriculum review represents a proactive step towards safeguarding the next generation from the perils of online disinformation. By fostering critical thinking skills in students, the government aims to create a more informed and resilient society. The United States could greatly benefit from adopting similar measures to address the challenges posed by the digital age.

The post Explainer: UK Schoolchildren to Be Trained in Spotting Fake News After Riots first appeared on .

However, a thorough investigation reveals that this video is being taken out of context and is not related to the ongoing conflict in Kursk. Here’s what really happened.

The True Origin of the Viral Video

The video in question is actually from the NATO Summit 2023, which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, 2023. During this summit, Zelenskyy was addressing the issue of Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles from the United States. In a press conference, a journalist asked Zelenskyy when Ukraine would receive these missiles. Zelenskyy responded with a smile and said, “I don’t know,” explaining that the decision was complicated and still under discussion with the U.S. administration.

This clip has since been misrepresented on social media, with some users falsely claiming that Zelenskyy was responding to a question about the situation in Kursk.

What’s Happening in Kursk?

The Kursk region in Russia has indeed seen recent military activity. Reports indicate that Ukraine launched a significant cross-border attack in the area, which led Russia to declare a “counter-terror operation” and impose a federal-level emergency. Despite the situation in Kursk, there is no evidence that Zelenskyy has made any public statements specifically addressing this conflict. His recent comments have focused on other strategic aspects of the war, such as Ukraine’s use of drones and the broader impact of Russia’s invasion.

Conclusion

The viral video does not depict Zelenskyy responding to a question about the conflict in Kursk. Instead, it shows a moment from the NATO Summit 2023 where he was discussing Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles from the United States. The video has been taken out of context and wrongly linked to the conflict in Kursk.

Verdict: False. The video is unrelated to the conflict in Kursk and has been misleadingly presented on social media.

For All Social Media Buffs

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is unintentionally spread. It can occur due to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or errors. Misinformation is often shared innocently, without malicious intent.

Examples of misinformation include:

• Rumors: Spreading unverified stories or claims.
• Mistaken Identity: Incorrectly attributing an event or statement to the wrong person.
• Outdated Information: Sharing facts that were once true but have since changed.

The post Fact Check: Zelenskyy Did NOT Respond to a Question About Kursk With a Smile first appeared on .