Fighting Fake News and Preparing Students for a Digitally Literate Future

Abstract

Cornell University defines digital literacy as "the ability to find, evaluate, utilise, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet" and there are many others such as "the ‘savvyness’ that allows young people to participate meaningfully and safely as digital technology becomes ever more pervasive in society" (Futurelab, 2011).

With increasing stories of the significant (and alarming) impact fake news and online security plays politically, socially, and economically across the globe, ensuring students develop digital literacy and independent research skills is essential. "Digital literacy just isn’t optional. It’s a requirement for success in the 21st Century . . ." (ITWeb, 2017).

From the fake news reports during the 2016 US general election, to the recent Facebook personal information scandals, their relationship with the online world can be considered one of the biggest challenges facing our young people today.