Fake News Education for Students

Starting this year, California's public school students will begin receiving media literacy education, aimed at teaching them to distinguish between authentic news and fake news, as well as differentiating genuine news articles from paid internet advertising. The initiative, introduced under Assembly Bill 873, crafted by Assemblymember Marc Berman and endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, will gradually be incorporated into various subjects, including English, mathematics, science, history, and social science, from kindergarten to high school.

This law addresses the increasing dependence of young people on internet and social media outlets like TikTok, Instagram, and others for news, highlighting a growing concern for misinformation and disinformation. This approach follows similar steps taken by states like Texas, New Jersey, and Delaware, as noted by the research organization Media Literacy Now.

Berman emphasized the crucial role of media literacy in empowering children and their families to navigate the overwhelming flood of misinformation on digital platforms. The curriculum aims to enhance the students' ability to critically analyze online content and protect themselves from false narratives, propaganda, and conspiracy theories.

The legislation underscores the state's vested interest in preparing young Californians to effectively deal with the misinformation prevalent on digital platforms, especially considering their increasing influence. Berman stressed the urgency of this issue, citing the real-world consequences of online misinformation, such as climate change denial, vaccine conspiracy theories, and the January 6th attack on the Capitol, underscoring the global and sometimes deadly impact of these false narratives.