By: Nana Mariam Naïga
Heads of State and Government are currently convening at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN Headquarters in New York to tackle the pressing issues in global governance. As is customary, the agenda includes discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an evaluation of the progress made toward these global targets to date.
In an ever-evolving world where our ways of life are constantly changing, our approach to viewing and discussing the SDGs must also adapt. The current SDGs were adopted in 2016—nearly a decade ago—and the world has transformed significantly since then. This holds true for most, if not all, of the SDGs. However, this article will focus specifically on SDG 4, which aims to: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
Some progress has and will continue to be made: national education targets indicate that the percentage of students possessing basic reading skills by the end of primary school is expected to increase from 51% in 2015 to 67% by 2030. Despite this progress, important challenges remain.
What is quality education?
Access to essential resources like drinking water, electricity, computers, and the internet is crucial. Moreover, access to quality information is a fundamental component. Quality information supports effective teaching and learning, fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, and is essential in combating misinformation—a pervasive issue in today’s world. Evidently, this issue is gaining increasing attention in the international forums.
In recent years, UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report has increasingly focused on digital literacy and misinformation. The 2023 report, in particular, addresses misinformation directly, examining its impact on learning outcomes and highlighting the need for integrating digital literacy into education. This integration helps students critically evaluate information and navigate digital content effectively. UNESCO has also developed frameworks to guide this integration, which are frequently referenced and increasingly discussed at UNGA and related forums.'
And justifiably so.
In the digital era, digital literacy and the challenge of misinformation should be central to all discussions about quality education. Why, you might ask? According to a 2023 report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, approximately 44% of people worldwide rely on social media for news. Unsurprisingly, younger demographics, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are even more likely to depend on social media for news. Data from Pew Research Center in 2023 revealed that about 70% of U.S. adults aged 18-29 use social media as their primary news source.
While obtaining news from social media offers convenience, it also poses significant problems.
The 2020 documentary The Social Dilemma paints a bleak picture. The documentary highlights how algorithmic amplification—where algorithms prioritize engaging content—often results in the rapid spread of sensationalist or misleading information. Additionally, echo chambers and filter bubbles confine users to information that aligns with their existing beliefs, isolating them from diverse perspectives. This reinforces misinformation and limits exposure to fact-checking or diverse viewpoints. Furthermore, the constant exposure to misleading information can distort users’ perceptions of reality, influence their beliefs and behaviors, and negatively impact their mental health. These effects can have serious and dangerous repercussions.
Consider instances of xenophobic violence driven by fake news. In recent years, several countries in Africa and Asia have witnessed viral misinformation—false narratives and inflammatory posts, spread via social media, falsely accusing immigrants of causing crime and economic hardships. This has led to violent attacks on immigrant communities, looting of foreign-owned businesses, and widespread unrest, resulting in deaths, injuries, and significant economic losses for the affected communities. Similarly, former President Donald Trump recently made unverified claims about immigrants eating people's pets in Ohio. Since then, there have been many reports of growing fears among Haitian Americans and credible threats against their communities.
Another example is the 2018 viral "Tide Pod Challenge," which encouraged teenagers to swallow laundry detergent pods and share videos online. Despite being harmful and dangerous, the challenge gained much traction on social media.
These are only a few of many many case studies that illustrate the profound impacts of misinformation at all levels of society, including public health, security, and human rights.
For years, there have been calls for reforms to address misinformation and fake news, including demands for greater transparency, improved content moderation, and more ethical design practices. Existing policy responses include integrating digital literacy and media education into school curricula, providing teacher training on combating misinformation, and fostering partnerships between educational institutions and tech companies to offer tools and resources. Additionally, governments have introduced regulations requiring social media platforms to tackle misinformation through measures such as labeling false information, removing harmful content, and promoting credible sources.
However, regulation can be challenging due to social media’s rapidly evolving nature, often outpacing the implementation of policies. So, how can we better equip children, young people, and adults with the digital literacy necessary to navigate this landscape?
A promising starting point is to enhance existing strategies. This includes a more comprehensive integration of digital literacy throughout the entire educational system, from early childhood through higher education. It is also crucial to increase investment in ongoing professional development for educators, focusing on practical strategies for teaching about misinformation and helping them stay updated with emerging trends. Additionally, focusing (more) public awareness campaigns towards parents, caregivers, and the broader community about the importance of digital literacy and the risks of misinformation is essential to strengthen media literacy at home.
As global educational policies continue to evolve, a sustained focus on digital literacy—and tackling misinformation—is a vital component in achieving SDG 4 and ensuring quality education. While existing policies have made progress in integrating digital literacy and addressing misinformation, there is a need for more comprehensive and coordinated approaches. This will demand a multifaceted approach that includes enhancing media literacy, strengthening fact-checking mechanisms, and fostering community engagement to counter false narratives and support knowledgeable decision-making. Implementing these measures will help build a more informed and critical generation, equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital information age and contribute to a more equitable society.
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