Children to be protected against 'putrid conspiracy theories'

The government is launching a review of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools in England to embed critical thinking across multiple subjects.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson told the Sunday Telegraph: "It's more important than ever that we give young people the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge what they see online."

This comes off the back of the stabbings of three children in Southport, and the misinformation that followed regarding the motives of the attacker. 

Rumours quickly spread that the attacker was Muslim, despite this not being true.

Phillipson also told the Sunday Telegraph: “Our curriculum review will develop plans to embed critical skills in lessons to arm our children against the disinformation, fake news and putrid conspiracy theories awash on social media. Our renewed curriculum will always put high and rising standards in core subjects – that’s non-negotiable.

“But alongside this we will create a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum that widens access to cultural subjects and gives pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life.”