Summary
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, online researchers say disinformation about abortion has flooded websites and social media, and some of that disinformation is influencing public opinion and policy. Misleading and medically inaccurate information even found its way into the Dobbs decision. Learn about the spread of misinformation following the landmark Dobbs decision in this PBS NewsHour Classroom lesson. For a transcript of this story, click here .Five Facts
- Who is Jenna Sherman and what does her organization advocate for?
- How has the spread and substance of misinformation changed since the Dobbs decision?
- What are examples of information pro-choice advocates spread on social media that is not based on scientific evidence?
- Why is the misinformation surrounding abortion reversal pills potentially dangerous?
- What disinformation found its way into the Dobbs decision?
Focus Questions
- How can you verify that information found online is accurate? What red flags might alert a student to disinformation or misinformation?
- What are some ways a student could fact check information they see on social media?
- How can disinformation or misinformation be dangerous in the modern world?
For More
- Play this game to understand the techniques involved in the dissemination of false information. This game exposes players to disinformation tactics used against them by putting them in the position of a fake news creator. Win the game by getting the most clicks on your headline. https://www.getbadnews.com/en/play
- You’ll be presented with a social media post that could be true or false or partially true. Search through the clues on the website to figure out which it is. Complete two lessons and reflect on how you can use these skills in your everyday life. https://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/educational-games/reality-check-game
- Check out this full PBS NewsHour Classroom lesson that offers tools for spotting misinformation online.
Ella Cohen, a rising junior at Washington-Liberty high school and intern at NewsHour Classroom, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Vic Pasquantonio. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning of the school year. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on today’s lesson.
