Hong Kong schools expected to help students discern fake news and know consequences of sharing it under new framework released by education authorities

Hong Kong’s education authorities are requiring schools to equip students with skills that will help them identify false information and understand the impact of sharing such messages, with pupils expected to attain different levels of discernment depending on their age.

The Education Bureau on Thursday released an updated draft on the “Information Literacy for Hong Kong Students Learning Framework” and will collect feedback from the public.

“In recent years, the internet and social media are fraught with false or inaccurate information. Cyberbullying and internet addiction have also become common around the world,” the bureau said, explaining the reasons for updating a framework that was first issued in 2018.

The revised guideline came after the government vowed earlier this year to combat disinformation online through exploring measures such as criminalising the spread of fake news.

This draft targeted several new areas to focus on, including the ability to identify disinformation, knowing the consequences of sharing false information, cyberbullying and internet addiction.

Students from various grades have different benchmarks to meet.

Pupils aged between six and nine years old should become aware of false information and understand that media messages and information have influences on individuals and society.

Those between 10 and 12 should understand the necessity of distinguishing false information conveyed in the media, understand the difference between fact and opinion, while also acknowledging that the information they share on social media may have an impact on others’ social reputations.