Abuja:The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and its partners have introduced a media and information literacy workbook aimed at helping children aged six to ten identify misinformation, fake news, and online threats.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workbook, titled ‘Young Truth Detectives (YTD),’ is authored by Mrs. Chiamaka Okafor-Onumah, Executive Director of the Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue Foundation (MILID Foundation). The public launch of the YTD and its facilitators guide was held in Abuja, hosted by UNESCO, MILID Foundation, Zedx Original, and Two Books One Pen Enhancement Initiative.
UNESCO Representative to Nigeria and Head of its Abuja Office, Dr. Isaías Barreto da Rosa, emphasized that education is a vital tool for combating fake news, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation. Barreto da Rosa highlighted the increase in fake news globally and emphasized the importance of teaching children how to verify facts and responsibly share information.
Dr. Lateef Idowu Olagunju, Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, noted that the workbook would assist children in accessing trustworthy information and developing critical thinking skills. He praised the creation of digital learning resources, including cartoons, to make media literacy more engaging for children.
Dr. Sharon Omotoso, Director of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, called for collaboration among parents and stakeholders to guide children’s media interactions. She mentioned the various digital threats children face and advocated for broader media literacy education to protect against harmful online content.
Mrs. Okafor-Onumah explained that the initiative addresses misinformation by instilling responsible information habits from an early age. The workbook includes six interactive missions to develop lifelong media literacy skills, and a facilitator’s guide supports lesson delivery in various settings.
The initiative seeks partnerships to reach children in rural and underserved areas. The books are not yet for sale, as their impact is being assessed. Plans are underway to translate the materials into local languages to enhance accessibility. The initiative aims to foster a generation capable of critically assessing information and making informed decisions.