As part of an international project, we tested the educational board game Media Masters with students from Šolski center Novo mesto in Slovenia. The game aims to raise awareness among young people about fake news, conspiracy theories, deepfakes, online scams, and other forms of disinformation. Students described the workshop as engaging and different, highlighting how it encouraged them to reflect on their use of social media and the information they consume.
The workshop was carefully structured. In the introductory part, we presented key concepts of media literacy, the difference between journalists and influencers, the emotional impact of information, and the importance of verifying sources. Through practical examples from everyday life, participants reflected on their own social media habits and discussed how to recognize misinformation, manipulation, and propaganda.
Later, students worked in groups and tested the Media Masters game, which combines elements of a board game, mobile app, and quiz. The game encourages players to identify misleading information and uncover fake news. Students noted that some tasks were too difficult and that terms like pseudoscience, sensationalism, phishing, or deepfakes were not always familiar. They also mentioned that the game's pace felt a bit slow.
To further strengthen their understanding of disinformation and manipulation, we enriched the workshop by introducing two online games: Bad News Game and Harmony Square. Both games were well-received by students, as they demonstrate in a playful way how misinformation spreads, how manipulation works, and how these tactics can impact individuals and even democracy itself.
Despite some challenges with the more complex concepts, students recognized the educational value of all three games. They especially appreciated the engaging tasks and the opportunity to reflect on how they assess the information they encounter daily.
The students rated the workshop as very useful and highlighted that they gained the most from discussions and practical gameplay. In the conclusion, we emphasized the importance of critical thinking and awareness that disinformation is not just a problem of the media – it affects all of us.
