Finland is taking an innovative and long-term approach to one of the biggest challenges of our digital age: misinformation. The Nordic nation has woven media literacy education into its national curriculum for decades — starting with children as young as three years old. Students learn how to analyse different types of media, recognise disinformation and think critically about what they read and see online. This effort is part of a broader programme designed to make citizens more resistant to fake news — especially misinformation that crosses Finland’s long border with neighbouring Russia.

At schools like Tapanila Primary in Helsinki, children in elementary grades are already learning how to spot misleading headlines and questionable content. As they get older, classes progress to identifying manipulated images and artificial intelligence-generated content. Teachers are now adding AI literacy, helping students understand not just that disinformation exists, but how content can be fabricated or altered with modern tools.

Media organisations also support these efforts: initiatives like “Newspaper Week” and educational materials such as the “ABC Book of Media Literacy” are distributed nationwide to reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. Finland’s commitment to media literacy has contributed to its consistent ranking among the highest in Europe on media literacy indices.

By starting young and adapting to new technologies, Finland is building a generation better equipped to navigate the information landscape — strengthening both individual critical thinking and the resilience of its democracy.