The Russian Ministry of Education announced a wide-reaching effort to boost media literacy among schoolchildren, a development explained by deputy head of the department Anastasia Zyryanova during a press briefing at the Rossiya Segodnya media center. The remarks were carried by RIA News, which highlighted the ministry’s intent to fortify how young people assess information and navigate contemporary digital landscapes.
The new initiative is designed to teach pupils how to verify sources, sift fact from fiction, and responsibly engage with content on social networks and other information channels. Officials emphasise that discerning credible reporting from misinformation is a core skill for students as they encounter a blend of online narratives, official communications, and peer-generated content every day.
According to Zyryanova, the project aims to expand media literacy to a broad audience within the school system. Students will be guided on locating trustworthy information, evaluating sources, and using digital tools to corroborate facts. The program also seeks to equip learners with critical thinking skills that help them identify biased or misleading material while developing healthy information consumption habits in an age of rapid online sharing.
In parts of the country, classrooms have already opened their doors to support pupils in understanding the dynamics of information flow. The initiative has reached major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, and extends to regions including Tyumen, Kaluga, Ulyanovsk, Stavropol, Tyva, and even the Donetsk People’s Republic, where students are engaging with media literacy curricula and related activities tailored to local contexts. Educators report that the program blends traditional literacy with digital competences, enabling learners to interpret news, verify online claims, and discuss the societal impact of information ecosystems.
Separately, Vladimir Putin addressed the capabilities of artificial intelligence in the context of education, reviewing how AI tools could assist teachers and students in the classroom. The discussion underscored the potential of automated assistance to tailor learning experiences, manage information flows, and support critical thinking exercises as part of a broader modernization effort within schools nationwide.
Earlier discussions also touched on the role of technologically advanced systems in education, including the responsible use of emerging technologies. The conversation highlighted how schools could integrate AI-assisted learning to reinforce core competencies, while keeping students grounded in evidence-based reasoning and ethical use of digital resources. The overarching aim remains to foster an informed, capable younger generation that can engage thoughtfully with a rapidly evolving information landscape, both at home and in wider society.