Engaging Youth in the Fight Against Fake News
A Creative Competition
Social media has transformed into a battleground for conflict, where information can manipulate political views and foster extremism. In this digital landscape, truth often succumbs to fake news, impacting real-world perceptions and behaviours.
Today’s conflicts revolve around information rather than traditional commodities; social media platforms have become key tools in this information warfare. Authenticity in this context is crucial, as individuals seek unique experiences online, often blurring the line between real and fake content.

In 2020, the French Embassy in Canberra approached me to help with a program run by all Alliance Françaises in Australia on the important topic of Fake News. The participants were high school students from across the country, each tasked with creating a work of art in a medium of their choice addressing the subject. Finalists would have their work reviewed by a panel, with winners invited to Canberra, where the French ambassador would present the prizes.
I served as a judge and delivered a 30-minute interactive presentation on the topic. Each participant received a copy of an article I wrote for the university on virtual tribes. During our session, we created a storyboard in real time based on the students’ responses. The engagement was impressive as participants reflected on each of the ‘stickers’ we had generated together. In just 30 minutes, we achieved great feedback and fostered a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding fake news.

This experience highlighted the potential of youth engagement in addressing pressing global issues, illustrating how creativity can spark critical conversations about the impact of misinformation in our society.