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Sarah Wildes, a seventh grade teacher in Alabama, uses Checkology to show her students how to distinguish between real news and false information. Sarah Wildes
Sarah Wildes, seventh-grade teacher in Alabama, knew that she had a huge job ahead of her when she was asked by a student how the confusion surrounding the results of 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Wildes, who is a science and technology teacher at Sparkman Middle School, Toney, said, "I need to tread lightly but I pointed out the fact that we know." "There are facts. There were committees that reviewed the election. While the numbers are clear, social media bubbles can confuse us. Teachers and Wildes across the country are facing a challenging and changing challenge as the school year begins. After a nearly 18-month break from in-person learning, students return to class. A whole new industry of misinformation has emerged online since the last full classroom meeting. These conspiracy theories range from the theft of the presidential election (which Joe Biden won) to the widespread use of microchips in Covid-19 vaccinations. It is bad enough that children are exposed to dangerous lies via their favorite social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Another problem is that many students were forced to attend school online while they were ill. Many of their virtual education sessions were interrupted by their parents screaming, who had also fallen into the darkest corners of the internet. According to a May report by non-profit groups Public Religion Research Institute (IRC) and Interfaith Youth Core, 15% of Americans believe in QAnon conspiracy theories. QAnon believers are largely responsible for the spread of "stop the steal” content on social media, supporting the lie that Donald Trump won the election. According to an academic study, 22% of Americans identify themselves as anti-vaxxers. This despite scientists and public health officials agreeing on the importance and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines. Misinformation on social media, combined with a growing number of radicalized parents, are distorting basic facts for children who still lack critical thinking skills. Wildes stated that the children were at home, consuming all of this information and not being able to get out from their bubble after being in quarantine. They were starved of guidance about how to navigate the many things they were seeing.
Wildes will be helping students find trustworthy news outlets and filter out misinformation in addition to implementing the standard curriculum. The News Literacy Project (NLP) is her non-profit in Washington, D.C. that developed Checkology, an online tool to assist educators in identifying and dispelling misinformation. Checkology helps students understand the different types of misinformation that they might encounter, how the press is important in democracy, and how to recognize conspiracies. Checkology was launched in May 2016 and has since enrolled more than 1.3million students and nearly 36.300 teachers. Shaelynn Farnsworth is the director of NLP's educator network expansion. She stated that "the pandemic, election, and social justice issues people want information, so educators need support to navigate that disinformation."
Locating a Reddit community
Children of conspiracy theorists have other online communities that allow them to share and connect with others. You can also detox. Mobius, a West Coast 17-year-old, claimed that his mom is anti-vaxxer and has taken the path of QAnon. Mobius, a 17-year-old who requested that we not use his real name in order to protect his family relationships, stated that his mom views the coronavirus and biological warfare as biological warfare. He believes the government is trying profit from vaccines. Mobius said that 90% of his information is from Facebook and TikTok. Mobius's entire family contracted Covid-19 in July from his mother. He didn't go into quarantine. Mobius said that she even flew by plane to her illness, and that he was the only person in the family who was vaccinated to prevent infection. Mobius claimed that his mother wouldn't allow his siblings to get the vaccine, and that he had missed many childhood immunizations. Mobius shared his story in QAnonCasualties. This Reddit group offers "support and resources, as well as a place for venting" to people who have loved ones or friends "taken in" by QAnon. It was established in July 2019, and now has 186,000 members. There are many stories there that mirror Mobius' experience.
A woman wearing a pin at an anti-mandatory coonavirus disease (COVID-19), vaccine protest outside New York City Hall, New York. August 16, 2021. Jeenah Moon | Reuters
A university student shared her anxiety after seeing a video that said Covid vaccines would make it infertile. A 16-year-old girl posted a more recent post, claiming she "escaped" her abusive QAnon parents. She doesn't know if she should get the Covid vaccine. She wrote that she doesn't know if the Reddit board is real or false. "I am terrified and confused. My parents said to me that I would get blood clots and die. I'd also be dead in five years. I'd be sterile, microchipped and tracked by the government. I would be controlled by the government. QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory group, was created after the 2016 election. Although the message is inconsistent, many members claim that the world is being controlled by a group of cannibalistic and Satanic elites who conspired against President Trump. Mobius, who was just entering college and required the vaccine to attend, stated that he started questioning his family's views about Trump's election. Mobius became more proactive in seeking out the truth and he started to listen to his mother rather than to news sources. The BBC and the Associated Press were his top choices. Mobius stated that he avoids discussing anything political with his mom's family. Mobius said that his mom is less likely to utter conspiracies after she has been sick. However, her beliefs have not changed. Divorcees grieve the end of long-lasting relationships. Workers talk about losing their jobs due to anti-vaccine rants from their supervisors. Teens and young adults vent about their parents on QAnonCasualties.
Fear of "vaccine toxicities"
Vulture was another member of the Reddit group who posted to the board in August seeking advice and support regarding her mom. Vulture (18 years old) described her mother as anti-vaxxer and began researching the QAnon conspiracy around the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. Vulture said that her mom believes 5G phone towers can be harmful. One QAnon theory claims 5G is responsible for the coronavirus. She also doesn't allow her kids to use WiFi at night due to radiation concerns. Vulture claims her mom receives her information via Facebook, Telegram, YouTube and Telegram. Vulture's mom was married to another woman after her parents divorced. Vulture's mom got her vaccinated earlier in the year. This caused a rift in their relationship. Vulture's mother was afraid Vulture would have "vaccine toxic" and told Vulture that she didn't love her anymore unconditionally. Vulture claims that her mom threatened to expel her and her younger sibling from the house if she gets vaccinated. This is a serious threat, especially considering how she is preparing for college.
As the US President Donald Trump's supporters continue to count the votes, Jake A, 33 (aka Yellowstone Wolf) from Phoenix is wrapped in a QAnon Flag. AFP
Teenagers such as Mobius and Vulture find like-minded people online. Groups such as Polarization and Extremism Research Innovation Lab, (PERIL), and the Southern Poverty Law Center are working to prevent children from falling for disinformation and hoaxes. SPLC and PERIL published "A Parents & Caregivers guide to online youth radicalization" last year to assist parents with dealing with teens who are vulnerable to extremism or conspiracy theories. The guide states that radicalization is a problem in society for all - from the innocent victims to the broken family relationships it causes. The guide includes sections that explain how to identify warning signs and what motivates people towards extremism, as well as how caregivers can work with at-risk youth. PERIL and SPLC created additional guides for educators, counselors, coaches and mentors.
Sarah Wildes, a seventh grade teacher in Alabama, uses Checkology to show her students how to distinguish between real news and false information. Sarah Wildes
