Transparency is the new objectivity: Fact-Checking in the classroom with Wikipedia

In 2022, we have been conducting a fact-checking research program with school children aged between 9 and 11 in four Australian Capital Territory public schools. This program aims to develop foundational fact-checking principles for young people that are non-partisan and adapted to the current media ecosystem. In the “attention economy”, time is precious: deep engagement with dubious claims is a poor strategy, as it represents time better spent elsewhere. Instead, students must acquire the means to quickly decide which claims are worth their attention. These skills need to be mastered early. Typically, school students don't get lessons in media literacy until secondary school: this is much too late.