The past two weeks in England will be remembered for riotsWhen a large number of people behave in a violent and loud way in public and cause disruption. . After three girls were killed in an attack at a dance class, people shared false claims online that the attacker was an asylum seekerA person who has left their country due to danger and is seeking refuge elsewhere. .

Some responded by going out onto the streets to protest against immigrationThe permanent movement of people into a country. . Hundreds of people took part in riots, although it is also important to remember that thousands also took part in anti-racismPrejudice or discrimination due to a person's race or ethnicity. marches.

Now, experts want to work out how to stop false news from spreading.

One person who spread false claims was billionaire and XA social media network, formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk. owner Elon MuskA South African-born entrepreneur whose companies have included the online payment service PayPal.. He spread a false idea that British leader Keir StarmerThe leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024. was building prisons on the Falkland IslandsA remote South Atlantic archipelago with a population of just over 2,800. It is a British Overseas Territory. for rioters.

Now education secretaryIn the UK, the government minister responsible for the Department of Education. Bridget Phillipson wants students to be taught critical thinkingAnalysing available facts, evidence and arguments to form a reasonable judgement. skills at school.

Experts say there are only two ways to stop misinformationIncorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies. from spreading.

One way is to stop it from ever being published. But this is very difficult on social mediaSocial media is defined by websites, apps and social games that connect people to each other through the sharing of pictures, thoughts, ideas, articles, and other content. - lies can spread quickly before the police can act.

The other option is to teach people how to spot false ideas.

If we teach people critical thinking skills, experts say, they will question everything they read and be more likely to spot falsehoods.

Has critical thinking become life's key skill?

Yes! We cannot completely stop false news from being shared online. But we can teach people how to think critically about what they read and see.

No! Critical thinking is not enough to stop false news from spreading. Even the most clear-thinking people are sometimes tricked by stories that match what they believe in.

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