Lifelong Learning Labs: Hate & Disinformation

Can the threat of misinformation, and even hate crimes, be tackled through better investment in adult learning?

We live in worrying times, worsened by false information. It spreads through many trusted news sources.

It can lead to serious consequences, like an increase in hate crimes.

Being able to tell fact from fiction has always been part of learning. Propaganda and bias aren’t new.

However, the volume of misinformation today, driven by new technology, means we must question more when online or talking with others.

What critical thinking tools do we need now, as essential as literacy, numeracy, and digital skills?

How can we navigate our world to prevent misinformation?

🔬 TouchPoints found the amount of time adults spend using their phones has finally overtaken time spent watching TV. The daily average for watching all types of screen is now almost 7.5 hours
🧬 The Alan Turing Institute found more than 9 in 10 people (94%) in the UK have reported witnessing misinformation on social media
🔬 Government data shows in the year ending March 2025, there were 115,990 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales a 2% increase year on year
🧬 The World Values Survey found that confidence in the UK press dropped steeply in the 1980s and has remained at one of the lowest levels of trust internationally

Older gentleman looking at a mobile phone screen

What do you think?

Whether you’re a learner, a policy maker, a practitioner, or member of the public, we want to hear from you.

Our call for evidence is open to anyone who wants to help us secure the future of lifelong learning.

Maybe you have a story to share, a case study that works, or some brilliant research. Or, you can answer some of our 'starter' questions:

🧪 Has misinformation and disinformation got worse in recent years or have we always needed to be critical about what we see and hear?
🧪 What more can we do as individuals to ensure that we understand the world as accurately and clearly as possible?
🧪 What is the role of the government or other leaders to ensure that we are protected from harmful content?
🧪 What can be done to better protect those who are most at risk from the consequences of misinformation, such as hate crime?