Government Launches £340k Strategy to Combat Online Misinformation

British authorities have unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle the growing threat of online misinformation through a new media literacy initiative that will invest £340,000 in its first year. The Online Media Literacy Strategy, launched by Digital and Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage at Battersea Library, aims to equip citizens with critical thinking skills needed to navigate the increasingly complex digital information landscape.

The government’s initiative comes at a crucial time. According to Ofcom data, 40% of adult internet users in the UK lack the necessary skills to critically assess online content. Even more concerning, studies by the National Literacy Trust reveal that only 2% of children up to age 15 possess the critical thinking abilities required to distinguish fact from fiction online.

“False or confused information spread online could threaten public safety and undermine our democracy,” Minister Dinenage said at the launch event. “We are legislating to make tech platforms more accountable for this, but people still need the right skills to distinguish between fact and fiction online.”

The pandemic highlighted the urgent need for better media literacy, as misinformation about COVID-19 treatments and conspiracy theories about 5G technology spread rapidly online. In some cases, this led to real-world harm, including vandalism of telephone masts in multiple locations across the country.

The UK currently ranks tenth among 34 European nations for media literacy rates, a position the government aims to improve over the next three years through targeted interventions. The strategy will support the UK’s existing network of over 170 organizations already working to enhance media literacy nationwide.

A key component of the plan is a new ‘Train the Trainer’ program that will provide specialized training to carers of disabled children and teachers. These individuals will then pass on critical skills to help others understand how online content is generated and funded, and how to analyze information critically.

Recognizing the influential role youth workers play in reaching vulnerable young people, the action plan includes funding for the National Youth Agency to develop specialized media literacy modules. These resources will enable early intervention to prevent online harm before it occurs.

Libraries, which already serve as community technology hubs, will benefit from a dedicated training program for frontline staff. This initiative acknowledges the crucial role libraries play as trusted information centers where many citizens first learn to navigate digital resources.

In an innovative approach to reach broader audiences, the strategy will explore partnerships with social media influencers to promote key online literacy skills. This tactic aims to engage demographic groups that might otherwise be difficult to reach through traditional channels.

The government is also establishing a cross-sector Online Media Literacy Taskforce, bringing together technology platforms, civil society groups, and academic institutions to address barriers to media literacy. Additionally, an online portal will serve as a centralized resource hub where users can access information about media literacy and online safety.

This media literacy initiative complements the government’s forthcoming Online Safety Bill, which will hold digital platforms accountable for addressing harmful content, including misinformation that could cause physical or psychological harm.

Vicki Shotbolt, founder and CEO of Parent Zone, praised the initiative, saying: “In a world where school, social, work and family life is increasingly lived online, having the right skills and knowledge is vital to ensure all parents and children are able to explore everything the online world has to offer confidently and safely.”

The government plans to publish annual updates on the strategy’s progress as it works toward building a more media-literate population capable of resisting the spread of misinformation.