Generation Z Triumphs Over Experts in ‘Fake News’ Quiz at UK Parliament
The hallowed halls of the UK Parliament witnessed an exhilarating clash of minds on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, as a team of astute Year 12 students from Caterham High School decisively defeated a panel of seasoned experts in a "Fake News" quiz. The event, titled "Have I Got Fake News for You: A Political and Media Literacy Quiz," was orchestrated by Shout Out UK in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Political and Media Literacy, aiming to underscore the importance of equipping young people with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the intricate information landscape of the digital age.
Held within the Thames Pavilion, offering panoramic views of the River Thames, the quiz embodied the APPG’s commitment to empowering the next generation. Award-winning journalist and author Sophia Smith Galer presided over the intellectual battle, pitting "Team Grown-Ups"—comprising Stephen Bush of the Financial Times, Kirsty Blackman MP (Co-chair of the APPG), Cathy Newman of Channel 4 News, and Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (the youngest peer in parliament)—against "Team Gen Z," consisting of Caterham High School students Muhammed Paderwala, Mya Law, Abbas Mehmood, and Jannat Khan.
The quiz tested both teams on a broad spectrum of knowledge, encompassing UK politics, democratic rights, and the ability to identify misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation online. Questions ranged from historical landmarks like the Magna Carta to contemporary digital trends and the subtleties of misleading online content. The audience enjoyed moments of levity as the "Grown-Ups," despite their speed on the buzzer, sometimes faltered in the accuracy of their answers.
Team Gen Z demonstrated an impressive command of political and media literacy, exceeding expectations and outmaneuvering their experienced adversaries. Their grasp of British politics, coupled with an acute understanding of the digital world, including contemporary slang, propelled them to a resounding 10-5 victory. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the students’ MP, joined the event to celebrate their triumph and engage in a discussion about youth priorities for policymakers.
The event served as a testament to the students’ preparedness for civic engagement and their ability to critically assess online information, bringing pride to Caterham High School. Beyond the quiz itself, the event showcased the talent of Kian Noorani and Caitlin Danaher, runners-up in the FT/PSA Student Blog competition, who read their insightful blogs on the topic of "Can social media save democracy?", further highlighting the articulate and engaged voices of young people.
The "Have I Got Fake News for You" event attracted a diverse audience, including MPs, peers, government officials, and valued partners of Shout Out UK, such as Commonsense Media, Full Fact, Votes for Schools, and award-winning author Jenny Anderson. While the event was undeniably entertaining, it also carried a profound message about the importance of understanding the political and media systems that shape our lives and navigating a world saturated with information of varying reliability. Sophia Smith Galer aptly summarized the event, stating that although Caterham students won the trophy, the true victor was "Political and Media Literacy" – a crucial skill in today’s information age. The event also served as a humorous learning opportunity for the adults, who gained familiarity with the online video platform Musical.ly, referenced in one of the questions.
Matteo Bergamini, CEO of Shout Out UK, expressed appreciation to Kirsty Blackman MP and the APPG on Political and Media Literacy for their collaboration in hosting this vital event. He emphasized the joint mission of Shout Out UK and the APPG to ensure that every child is equipped to participate effectively in democracy in the digital age, just as the Caterham High School team demonstrably is. Shout Out UK remains dedicated to delivering political and media literacy education across the UK, and the quiz serves as a powerful illustration of the potential of an informed and engaged youth, indicating that the future of navigating complex information landscapes is in capable hands. The event’s success resonated with attendees, reinforcing the critical need for media literacy in an era of information overload and highlighting the promising capabilities of the next generation. The collaboration between Shout Out UK and the APPG underscores a shared commitment to fostering informed and engaged citizenry, particularly among young people, to ensure a robust and resilient democracy in the digital age. The quiz served as a platform to celebrate not just the students’ victory, but the importance of critical thinking and media literacy for all.