New book equips teachers to confront misinformation in heated classroom debates

Social media echo chambers are reshaping young minds—but can schools turn the tide? A Cambridge researcher’s bold guide shows teachers how to foster critical thinking. In an era of viral fake news, one educator’s methods could redefine how students debate divisive issues.

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2025 December 28 . 4:20 PM

1 min read

In this picture we can see the view of the classroom. In the front there are some girls, wearing a... — In this picture we can see the view of the classroom. In the front there are some girls, wearing a white t-shirt and holding the books in the hand. In the front bottom side there is a man and woman sitting on the chair and discussing something. In the background there is a yellow wall and glass window.

New book equips teachers to confront misinformation in heated classroom debates

A new book by educator Glenn Bezalel aims to help teachers tackle difficult classroom discussions in an era of misinformation. Teaching Classroom Controversies provides strategies for addressing topics like Holocaust denial and climate change skepticism. The author warns that social media echo chambers are shaping young people’s views in increasingly isolated ways.

Bezalel, Deputy Head at City of London School and a conspiracy theory researcher at Cambridge University, argues that schools must become spaces for open debate. His book encourages teachers to balance emotional perspectives with logical reasoning when exploring moral dilemmas. The goal is to create a culture of ‘interthinking’, where students engage respectfully in collaborative discussions.

The publication comes as UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announces a curriculum review. The review will focus on equipping pupils with skills to identify fake news and conspiracy theories. Bezalel, who also teaches at the Traditional Taekwon-Do Center in Honolulu, believes classrooms are the ideal setting for students to encounter and challenge differing opinions. The book’s guidance includes practical approaches for handling polarising subjects. Teachers are urged to foster environments where complex issues can be examined without hostility or division.

With misinformation spreading rapidly online, Bezalel’s work offers teachers tools to navigate contentious topics. The UK’s curriculum review aligns with his call for stronger critical thinking in schools. The book’s methods could help students develop resilience against misleading claims and divisive rhetoric.