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The Education Futures Blog

Deception by design: Education's role in countering disinformation

False narratives, real consequences

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Misinformation spreads quickly and often hides behind the facade of critical thinking. The U.S. is learning this the hard way. State-sponsored disinformation campaigns, particularly from Russia, have become adept at using skepticism to undermine democratic societies. They exploit the language of doubt to sow confusion and erode trust in institutions. At the same time, we witness disturbing trends within education and society: the banning of books in schools under the guise of protecting children from “controversial” content, attacks on transgender students framed as safeguarding traditional values, threats and harassment aimed at teachers for discussing topics deemed politically sensitive, and the normalization of inaction in response to school shootings, justified by distorted interpretations of constitutional rights. These actions restrict access to diverse perspectives central to democratic discourse, instill fear in educators and students, and punish those who challenge imposed ideologies, creating an environment where disinformation thrives.

Postmodernism, originally a framework for questioning dominant narratives and power structures, is increasingly used to argue that all perspectives are equally valid, regardless of evidence. This misuse fosters confusion, making it harder to distinguish facts from opinions. In this way, postmodernism is weaponized to create contradictions reminiscent of Orwellian doublespeak, where language deliberately blurs meaning to disorient and mislead.

In a Big Think article that circulated widely this year, Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB agent who defected to the West, warned about methods used to destabilize societies from within. He described a process that begins with demoralization, eroding a nation’s values and beliefs. Destabilization follows, targeting key institutions to create chaos. A crisis is then provoked, leading to a breakdown of order. Finally, normalization occurs, introducing a new regime under the guise of restoring stability. At the center is the ideological reprogramming of our education systems. Bezmenov’s insights remain relevant as these tactics evolve in the modern era.

Russian disinformation today uses digital technologies to spread false information. The U.S. Army War College’s publication, Understanding Russian disinformation and how the Joint Forcecan address it, outlines how social media manipulation, cyber attacks, state-controlled media, and deceptive diplomacy blur the truth. Disinformation often masquerades as critical thinking, encouraging people to question established facts without providing credible alternatives. This approach undermines trust in institutions and factual information.

The U.S. Senate’s report, Putin’s asymmetric assault on democracy in Russia and Europe: Implications for U.S. national security, highlights the broader effects of these campaigns. They interfere with elections, deepen social divisions, and weaken alliances. These actions threaten the foundations of democracy by distorting reality and creating confusion about what is true.

In education, we face the challenge of books being banned under false pretenses. This limits students’ exposure to diverse perspectives and hampers their ability to think critically. When certain ideas are suppressed, disinformation finds it easier to fill the void. Additionally, postmodernism is sometimes misused to argue that all viewpoints are equally valid, even those not based on evidence. Language is used to confuse rather than clarifiy.

Education must respond by empowering learners to navigate this complex landscape. We need to foster critical thinking skills that enable students to analyze information carefully, recognize credible sources, and understand context. Digital literacy is essential, helping individuals discern between legitimate content and disinformation posing as critical inquiry.

Encouraging open dialogue in classrooms combats the suppression of ideas. By exposing students to a wide range of viewpoints, we strengthen their ability to evaluate arguments based on evidence. Teachers must be allowed to help students understand the complexity of truth without falling into relativism that denies objective reality.

Educational policies should prioritize equipping students with the tools to navigate misinformation. Media literacy should become a foundational part of the curriculum, teaching students how to evaluate sources, identify bias, and understand the mechanics of information dissemination. For example, students could learn to fact-check articles, assess the credibility of websites, or recognize how algorithms amplify certain narratives. Teachers must receive targeted training in these areas, supported by resources such as lesson plans, workshops, and professional learning communities. Policies must also protect access to a wide range of educational materials by implementing transparent review processes for book challenges and ensuring that decisions reflect educational, not political, priorities.

By focusing on these areas, education can counter disinformation that hides behind the guise of critical thinking. We can equip individuals to recognize when skepticism is manipulated to spread falsehoods. Through thoughtful educational practices, we uphold the integrity of truth and strengthen the foundations of democracy.

Image credit: Elimende Inagella on Unsplash