How to Talk About Harmful Online Content With Your Students
Ever avoided one of our debate topics because it felt too difficult to navigate in the classroom?
Want to create a safe space to discuss what’s happening in the world, but worry it could become unproductive or overwhelming?
Looking for fresh and practical ideas to support your online safety teaching?
You’re not alone.
Talking about misinformation, difficult or divisive topics, and harmful online content can feel daunting, but it’s more important than ever.
That’s why we’re teaming up with Shout Out UK, a leading organisation in political and media literacy, to help you confidently guide students through these challenging topics.
Young people encounter extreme or misleading content online all the time. When we help them think critically and question what they see, we’re not just protecting them - we’re empowering them.
This webinar will share:
✔ Strategies to help students recognise misinformation and harmful narratives
✔ Tips for running sensitive discussions safely and respectfully
✔ Ways to embed media literacy into pupil-led debates
✔ Practical resources you can use straight away in your Smart School Councils sessions
From debunking extremist messaging to developing healthy doubt and curiosity, this session is designed to help teachers keep pupils informed and confident in the digital world.
Free training + a follow-up Big Debate Club question
After the webinar, students will have the opportunity to put these skills into action during a Big Debate Club session the following week:
🗳 Debate Question:
Is banning harmful content more effective than teaching young people how to question it?
You’ll receive a debate pack and video full of prompts to spark discussion - helping your school community apply the strategies shared in training.
🤝 Who we’re working with
Shout Out UK (SOUK) is a multi-award-winning creative social enterprise on a mission to defend and amplify democracy. They work internationally to:
• build media and political literacy
• inoculate young people against misinformation
• empower every voice to contribute to society
Their partners include:
UK Government departments, OFCOM, Greater London Authority, NATO, and the US State Department
We’re proud to work with such an impactful organisation!
— Becky Gittins, Head of Partnerships
💡 Want to know how to get started?
Join our free webinar ‘Media Literacy for practitioners: Equipping Teachers with the Essential Tools to Counter Harmful Content’, next week, 12th November at 3:45pm.
Learn helpful strategies that build the confidence to talk about any online issue, while keeping pupils safe, supported, and heard.
We can’t wait to see you there!