Back to school for one of our court members to talk about disinformation…

In today’s fast-moving media landscape, understanding disinformation is an essential skill for young people. In December, Jon McLeod and Aceil Haddad, an alumna, delivered an interactive workshop at Ursuline Academy Ilford designed to equip students with the critical thinking tools they need to navigate an increasingly complex digital information environment.

The workshop explored careers in communications and examined the shift in how young people consume news, moving away from traditional media towards algorithm-driven social platforms. Students learned how social media algorithms often prioritise viral and emotionally charged content over accuracy, creating ideal conditions for misinformation and disinformation to spread.

Using real-world examples, the pair examined state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, the rise of deepfake technology, biases in AI, and the ways hostile actors exploit social media to promote harmful agendas.

Drawing on academic research, including Van der Linden’s theory, students learned why people are susceptible to false information and how to build cognitive resistance to manipulation. The session clearly distinguished between:

• Misinformation – false information shared accidentally

• Disinformation – false information shared deliberately

• Propaganda – information designed to manipulate opinions or behaviour

Delivered as an hour-long interactive session, the workshop combined presentation content with real-world case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises. Students were encouraged to question what they see online, identify red flags in suspicious content, and practise fact-checking techniques they can immediately apply in their daily digital lives.

Students left the workshop better equipped to be confident, informed, and responsible consumers of online information.

Book your session

Ready to equip your students with essential skills? Contact Jon McLeod at Jon.McLeod@drdpartnership.com or via WhatsApp on 07775 530978 to arrange this workshop for your school.