Children are at a higher risk of falling for Russian disinformation due to a decrease in reading habits, according to a warning by Bridget Phillipson. The Education Secretary expressed concerns that the diminishing reading culture among youngsters could jeopardize national security, as hostile entities are leveraging social media with increased sophistication.
Phillipson highlighted the importance of nurturing critical thinking skills in the younger generation to combat the spread of disinformation by state actors masquerading as credible news sources online. She emphasized the need for readers who can discern truth from misinformation and resist the allure of deceptive content on the internet.
In an article for the Telegraph, Phillipson underscored the growing threat posed by Russia and other foreign actors, particularly through the dissemination of disinformation on social media platforms. She called for a proactive approach to cultivating critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills among youth to counter the evolving tactics of online misinformation.
The Department for Education, under Phillipson’s leadership, has joined forces with the National Literacy Trust to launch a nationwide campaign aiming to designate 2026 as the national year of reading. The initiative seeks to reverse the declining trend in reading enjoyment among children, which has dropped from half of kids enjoying reading two decades ago to only a third today.
Despite plans to introduce a Year 8 reading test, Phillipson has encountered resistance from teaching unions, including the National Education Union (NEU), cautioning against an overreliance on mandatory assessments. The UK is confronting a surge of disinformation and propaganda targeting societal stability and trust in governmental institutions, as highlighted by MI6’s new chief, Blaise Metreweli, who emphasized the pervasive nature of threats to national security.
Metreweli vowed to enhance the technological proficiency of intelligence operatives, stressing the importance of integrating technology into all aspects of intelligence operations. Emphasizing the need for adaptability, she emphasized the necessity for operatives to be adept in both technological skills like Python programming and traditional sources of intelligence.
In conclusion, efforts to combat disinformation and enhance national security through literacy promotion and technological proficiency are underway, reflecting the ongoing battle against the evolving landscape of online threats.