Orienting learners vs fake news

Romalyn O. Licup

The Department of Education (DepEd) wants to orient learners on how to detect false information and do their research to validate the information they see online, considering the increased amount of time they have been spending on the internet.

Through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), the agency conducted an online learning episode on Fake News and Fact-Checking as the last episode of OKKK! Tambayan.

Episode 11 of Online Kahusayan at Katatagan ng Kabataan Tambayan or OKKK! Tambayan is titled “How to Detect Fake News and Fact Check”. It aired on May 8, 2021, from 9 am to 12 pm on the DepEd Philippines Facebook Page and Youtube Channel.

The rapid spread of fake news and false information is one of the serious problems in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have revealed that the so-called “infodemic” has led to COVID-19 related rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories circulating online which had an impact on public health.

Streaming every Saturday, OKKK! Tambayan is one of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) initiatives of the Department being conducted to help ensure the overall well-being of secondary learners in the Philippines.

It was launched in recognition of the possible impact of the new normal on the mental health of students and to guide them on how to develop proper coping mechanisms and take care of their mental health.

OKKK! Tambayan tackles various topics on self-care, self-awareness, fostering healthy relationships, and even topics on the responsible use of social media, cybercrime, and cyber bul lyi ng.

The author

is Teacher

II

***** at Dolores Elementary School