Break the Fake: Correcting disinformation

Here are three ways to respond to false info online:

1. Ask a question

If the false info is coming from a friend or a family member, or you’re worried that your reply might help spread the false info, you can just ask a question like “Are you sure that’s true?” or “Is that source reliable?”.  

That nudges them to think more about whether what they're sharing is true, and shows other people that you don't agree with the bad info.

Research has found this works almost as well as correcting or debunking false information!

Break the Fake: How to tell what's true online

Here are four quick and easy steps to find out the truth and share good information. Sometimes you only have to do one of these things, and most steps take less than a minute.   

Using Fact-Checking Tools

Sometimes a single search can break the fake, if a professional fact-checker like Snopes has already done the work for you.

Outcome Chart – Prince Edward Island – Integrated Curricula

According to this document by the Department of Education and Early Years, “Integrated curriculum is to enable and encourage learners to explore the world around them through an integrated, transdisciplinary lens. This approach emphasizes natural connections within the curriculum and makes learning more authentic and relevant for learners.

Music: Introduction

Music is much more than sound; it’s a complex system that communicates meaning by engaging our feelings and bodies.
The way listeners discover and consume music has been completely transformed by the shift to digital streaming.

Health and Life Skills K-9

In the Alberta Health and Life Skills K-9 Framework, media literacy is highlighted under the heading Program Rational and Philosophy in the section Responsible, Healthy Choices:

Health Education Overview

In the Northwest Territories Health Education, media literacy outcomes for are included under the broader categories of Mental and Emotional Well Being; Nutrition; Safety; Responsibilty; Family Life; and Alcohol and Other Drugs.

English as a Second Language

In the Newfoundland English as a second language curriculum, media literacy outcomes are included under the general outcomes requiring students to:

Family Studies

The Newfoundland family studies curriculum includes expectations that incorporate media education themes. The curriculum document Family Studies: Human Dynamics 2201 (2004) includes a section that demonstrates the complementary relationship between media literacy and family studies:

Fine Arts Overview

Many curricular expectations in Alberta Fine Arts courses relate to digital media literacy. The following excerpts from are Fine Arts curriculum document on the LearnAlberta website:

Social Sciences 10-12 Overview

Many curricular expectations in Alberta Social Sciences courses relate to media and digital literacy. The role of the Social Sciences courses in the Alberta curriculum is described as follows on the Alberta Education Social Sciences page: