MEDIA EDUCATION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST FAKE NEWS: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR CRITICAL THINKING

Abstract

Media education is an essential tool in combating fake news, especially in a global scenario marked by the massive dissemination of misleading information on digital platforms. This article aims to explore how media literacy can promote critical thinking, empowering students to identify and analyze false information, as well as fostering an ethical and responsible stance in the consumption and sharing of content. Through a literature review, we analyzed scientific articles, books, and theses published between 2015 and 2024, through Bardin's content analysis. The discussion covers concepts of media education, impacts of fake news, pedagogical strategies and barriers to the implementation of this approach in schools. The results show that the integration of media education in school curricula is fundamental to form critical and informed citizens, prepared to face the challenges of the contemporary digital society. This work contributes to the theoretical and practical advancement of the theme, highlighting the role of educational institutions in the construction of a more responsible and conscious informational culture.