15/03/17 - Swedish kids to learn computer coding and how to spot fake news in primary school

https://www.thelocal.se/20170313/swedish-kids-to-learn-computer-coding-and-how-to-spot-fake-news-in-primary-school

The article talks about how the Swedish education minister plans to work on changes to the curriculum for children. These changes will focus on getting kids to be able to use the basics of technology at a much younger age including having greater autonomy when it comes to differentiating fake news. They are taught the importance of using sources in their work which will greatly help to understand the values of reliable news sources. The curriculum will also have programming aspects that will be taught.

• The plan is for kids to be exposed to the nuts and bolts of technology at an earlier age, according to education minister Gustav Fridolin.
• The changes to the curriculum will apply from July 2018 at the latest
• Along with programming, the moves to improve digital competence will also include teaching kids how to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources
• A multitude of sources is a reality of the modern digital age, the education minister added, so it is important to prepare kids to identify trustworthy outlets
• A recent survey by pollsters Ipsos showed that eight out of ten Swedes think so-called fake news is having an impact on their perception of basic facts

Personally, I think its great that children are being taught these valuable skills at a much younger age. It means that by learning about these technologies and skills at a younger age, they are able to develop intellectually a lot quicker than previous generations. It will open up possibilities for greater schools of thoughts and discussions in the future. It also helps to greatly break down ignorant views and ideologies as children at a younger age would have better judgement and critical thinking.