The Boy Who Broke the Bank Warming up Activities
The Boy Who Broke the Bank
Warming up!
Chit-Chat
- ‘A lie can run round the world before truth has got its boots on.’
The above quotation expresses how fast rumours spread.
Ans: This quote means that false stories can spread quickly, even before the truth comes out. With social media and the internet, wrong information can go viral fast, while checking facts takes time. So, it’s important to be careful and check before believing or sharing things online.
- Talk with your group about some recent rumour, when people believed at first and suffered for it, later.
Ans: Imagine in 2023, there was a big rumor in India. People heard that there was a super cure for COVID-19, but only some folks could get it. People believed it because they were scared of the virus.
At first, many people thought it was true. They stopped wearing masks and didn’t follow safety rules. They also spent a lot of money on fake cures.
But as time went on, no one could prove the miracle cure was real. Experts said it was probably fake. People who believed in it wasted money and didn’t stay safe from COVID-19. The rumor hurt trust in the government and made it hard to know what’s true online.
The lesson? Always check facts, especially during tough times, and don’t believe everything you see on the internet.
- Also discuss, how one can decide whether some news is a fact or fake.
Ans:
To figure out if news is real or fake:
- Trust Good Sources: Get your news from trusted places that are known to tell the truth.
- Double-Check with Others: See if other news places are saying the same thing.
- Look for Proof: Real news has evidence or facts to back it up. Fake news often doesn’t.
- Know Who’s Talking: Pay attention to who is saying the news. Important people or experts are more reliable.
- Think Carefully: Use your brain. If the news seems too wild or one-sided, be cautious.
- Check Dates and Details: Make sure the news is recent and gives you enough information to understand the whole story.
- Use Fact-Checking Sites: There are websites that check if news is true. You can use them to be sure.
Don’t just believe everything you see or hear. Be smart about the news you trust and share.
- Who, do you think, are responsible for spreading false news ?
Ans:
- Some People: Some create fake stories and share them intentionally.
- Social Media Users: People might unknowingly share false stuff.
- Sensational Media: Some news sources prioritize attention over truth.
- Social Media Algorithms: Algorithms sometimes boost fake content.
- People’s Beliefs: People share what fits their beliefs, even if false.
- Not Knowing Better: Lack of media literacy leads to sharing fakes.
- Echo Chambers: Staying in online bubbles can foster misinformation.
- Other Countries: Foreign actors may spread fake news for their gain.
Fighting fake news requires caution and critical thinking online.
- Do you believe in all the news that you come across?
Ans: I don’t have beliefs, and I don’t automatically trust news. It’s important for people to check if the news is true, whether it comes from me or anywhere else.
- Give one example of a rumour which seemed to be fact in the beginning, later it was proved false.
Ans: False rumors about COVID-19 vaccines in India scared some people. Health officials shared real facts, and as more people got vaccinated safely, trust in vaccines grew. It highlights the importance of accurate information.
