Children are returning to school. As this process is taking place, parents should be informed of the measures, instructions, and advice that indicate what awaits them after their children return to school. However, not everything can be trusted.
There have been a number of misleading claims about what might happen to students upon their return, which have circulated on social media. BBC has watched some of them.
The claim that students at school can be tested and detained – without parental permission
Teachers cannot take children to a coronavirus testing center without a parent's permission. And it's a fallacy to suggest that they can be locked up without parental permission if they test positive.
But more than 500 posts on Facebook and WhatsApp over the past month – one of which has been shared 10,000 times on Facebook – claim otherwise.
Other claims that have been spread in the UK and beyond include weighing all students at the beginning of the school year or claiming that there are no cases of teachers being infected by children and others.
But how can parents identify the truth of such claims?
How can you spot fraudulent claims or conspiracy theories being shared on social media and other platforms and stop their spread?
Marianna Spring, a reporter on disinformation and social media, recommends 3 questions through which you can verify information.
1. Ask yourself where the information you are sharing came from – question the source – is it credible and do you know the origin of the claim? Rumors on group chats or local Facebook groups attributed to an unnamed source are not reliable sources. Go to trusted places (institutions) for the latest updates.
2. Think about what emotional response such news brings up for you. Since these posts are often about child safety, they are likely to be very emotional as a result. It’s the things that make us scared, angry, worried, or happy that tend to go really viral. And urgent calls to action are often designed to increase anxiety – so be careful.
3. Stop and think before sharing a text/article/post. If you are not sure that the information is accurate, it is better not to spread claims in group chats and with other parents. It can put everyone in a panic.
(Article taken from BBC)