"Good morning, London!" With these energetic words ringing through The Arena at Bett UK 2026, the session brought a vital and interactive assembly to the stage: Bett's big assembly: Media literacy with BBC Bitesize. 

 

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, significantly changing how young people consume information compared to their parents and grandparents. To help students navigate this complex web of online content, Shereen Cutkelvin, TV Presenter - BBC, and De-Graft Mensah, Broadcaster - BBC, guided the audience through an engaging exploration of modern news consumption, the rise of fake news, and the growing sophistication of AI-generated images.

 

The misinformation dilemma 

Today’s youth are bombarded with news, often appearing unprompted on their social media feeds. This constant stream of information comes with a heavy dose of anxiety; in fact, 66%, or two-thirds, of young people are worried about the impact of fake news and misinformation online.

During the assembly, Shereen Cutkelvin and De-Graft Mensah broke down the crucial difference between the types of false content circulating online:

• Misinformation is fake news created and spread by mistake by someone who often doesn't realise it is false.

• Disinformation is false information deliberately spread to influence public opinion or to hide the other side of a story.

Why do people intentionally spread fake news? The presenters and audience highlighted several motives: to advertise products, share opinions, act out of spite, push political agendas during elections, or make money through scams and clickbait. Sometimes, it is even created just for a laugh, such as on April Fool's Day.

 

How to spot fake news 

To combat the spread of false stories, the presenters and the audience shared several powerful strategies:

• Check the source: Look at who published the story, investigate the author's details, and inspect the website URL.

• Beware the "whoa" emotion: Exaggerated words like "amazing" or "shocking" are designed to add drama and make you click. If a story makes you highly emotional, pause and think before you share.

• Fight the "illusory truth effect": Just because you hear or see something repeatedly doesn't make it real.

• Check your filter bubbles: Remember that social media algorithms and ads are designed to suggest stories that match your existing browsing habits and opinions.

• Fact-check: Talk to your parents, see if trusted news websites are reporting the same story, read the comments section, and look for spelling or grammar mistakes.

 

The AI challenge: real or fake? 

As artificial intelligence advances, distinguishing reality from fabrication is becoming increasingly difficult, with 37% of young people worrying they would have difficulty identifying AI content. To put the audience's detective skills to the test, De-Graft Mensah and Shereen Cutkelvin hosted a highly interactive AI or Real quiz. The results were surprisingly tricky:

• Real stories and images: The audience learned that a cinema in Gloucestershire actually screened a 75-minute compilation of internet cat videos to raise money for animal charities. Real images also included pop star Chappell Roan, an authentic photo of Claudia Winkleman posing next to her waxwork at Madame Tussauds, and Gladiators star Nitro jumping to incredible heights.

• Fake and AI content: The audience had to spot AI-generated fakes, such as an image of Prince William singing a duet with Adam Lambert and a convincing fake video of an elephant rescuing a child. AI images of celebrities also tripped people up, including a strangely proportioned Ariana Grande, a perfectly shiny Cristiano Ronaldo with unusual facial features, and a fake Taylor Swift engagement photo featuring unnatural-looking hands.

 

Top tips for spotting AI images 

If you aren't sure whether an image is AI-generated, the presenters offered a definitive checklist:

• Focus on the details: AI programmes often struggle with complex features. Look closely at hands (which are often unnaturally shaped), background text (which may appear as gibberish), and clothing details.

• Be wary of perfection: AI images frequently look overly airbrushed, shiny, or just a little "too perfect".

• Do a reverse image search: This tool helps you discover where an image originated and if reputable websites have used it.

• Check official accounts: If an image of a celebrity is real, it will likely be posted on their verified official social media accounts.

 

In a world filled with digital noise, critical thinking and curiosity are our best defences. 

 

Shereen Cutkelvin and De-Graft Mensah successfully equipped the audience with the tools needed to question what they see online. For those looking to continue building their media literacy skills, the presenters recommended visiting the BBC Bitesize: Other Side of the Story website, which is packed with content, quizzes, and resources for students, alongside a dedicated media literacy page for teachers. By taking a moment to pause, investigate, and question the source, we can all stop the spread of fake news in its tracks. 

 

Stay tuned for even more Bett UK 2026 highlights that you don’t want to miss!