Childnet’s new PSHE resource Trust me will be launched on the 19th of May 2016.
In response to online extremism, this practical resource, aimed at KS2 and KS3 students challenges young people to think critically about what they see online.
There are two packs aimed at primary and secondary school level. Each pack contains:
- 1 full lesson plan relating to online content (can you believe everything you read online?)
- 1 full lesson plan relating to online contact (can you trust everyone you speak to online?)
- 1 full lesson plan relating to propaganda and media literacy (only in secondary pack)
Each lesson plan aims to provoke discussion among students and to allow them to reflect on the motives and agendas behind what we see online and who we speak to online. Questions such as ‘how can we know if a website is trustworthy online?’ and ‘why and how might someone gain your trust online’ are explored.
In a world where people’s perception of the world is coloured by media reporting, it is important that children are equipped with the skills to critically assess and analyse the information that is put to them. UNESCO and the EU commission have said that Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is a pre-requisite for democratic participation and full citizenship. Others have gone on to state that it is vital that citizens are media and information literate, that they can find, analyse, critically evaluate and create information in various media and contexts.
The Trust Me resource contains mocked-up examples of websites and social media posts for young people to critically assess, along with practical activities and discussion guides that teachers can follow. It is hoped that this resource will get young people talking and thinking critically about what they see online.
Trust Me will be free to access on our website from 19th May 2016.