Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he is taking to tackle (i) online conspiracy belief; (ii) misinformation; and (iii) disinformation, in the classroom.
Minister of Education: As part of my department’s curriculum reform programme, proposals for a new Personal, Social, Civic and Careers (PSCC) framework includes learning that will help pupils identify misinformation and misleading content, assess the reliability of information, distinguish between facts, opinions and beliefs, and critically evaluate arguments and evidence. The framework also places greater emphasis on responsible participation in online environments and understanding how information and content can influence attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.
In addition, my department provides guidance to schools in relation to online safety through the ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection in Schools – A Guide for Schools’ refers to resources such as those provided through the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland and also the Safer Schools NI platform. These provide advice, guidance and information on a range of safeguarding issues to schools, parents/carers and pupils.
ENDS
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