Finland is actively combating fake news starting in preschool, integrating media literacy into its national curriculum to equip students with the skills to analyze various media and detect disinformation, particularly in light of threats from neighboring Russia. As teachers increasingly emphasize the importance of AI literacy due to the escalation of disinformation campaigns, educators are teaching students to identify misleading information generated by AI tools.
At Tapanila Primary School, for instance, fourth graders engage in activities to discern fake news and now also practice recognizing AI-generated content. Finnish media initiatives, like the annual “Newspaper Week” and new educational resources, support this effort by promoting the consumption of verified information.
Media literacy has been a cornerstone of Finnish education since the 1990s, contributing to the country’s high ranking on the European Media Literacy Index. Finnish officials, including Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz, acknowledge that democracy is increasingly challenged by disinformation, necessitating continuous education on distinguishing fact from fake news, especially as AI technology evolves.
