Local teacher warns social media exposes children to 'disinformation'

A local teacher, whose dissertation has been recognised as key research by Hibernia College, is urging schools to help students recognise fake news.

Kate O'Connell is a teacher at St Mary's National School in Virginia and her dissertation on the status of media literacy education in primary schools is available to view online.

She has a background in philosophy and says schools need to teach pupils how to think critically about the media they consume.

Kate noted that this media includes social media, which is an increasing part of children's lives.

Speaking to Northern Sound, the Cavan school teacher warned that children can be exposed to a lot of disinformation on social media:

Kate's dissertation can be viewed here.