A Comprehensive Review of Fakey: A News Literacy Game to Combat Fake News on Social Media Platforms

Introduction:

Fakey (https://fakey.iuni.iu.edu/) is a news literacy game developed by Indiana University that uses AI to help users learn how to identify and debunk fake news on social media platforms. In this review, we will explore the features and functionality of Fakey, discuss its benefits and potential use cases, examine its drawbacks and limitations, and provide recommendations for users seeking a fun and interactive way to improve their news literacy skills.

Features and Functionality:

Fakey simulates a social media feed, presenting users with natural and fake news articles and fact-checking content. Players are tasked with identifying and categorizing the content as true, false, or fact-checked. In addition, the game uses AI to generate realistic-looking fake news headlines and articles, making it challenging for users to discern between fact and fiction.

As players progress through the game, they receive feedback on their performance, enabling them to learn from their mistakes and hone their news literacy skills. The game also includes a leaderboard to encourage friendly competition and promote continuous learning.

Benefits and Potential Use Cases:

• Engaging and interactive gameplay that makes learning about news literacy enjoyable and fun.
• AI-generated content that provides a realistic and challenging experience for users to test their news literacy skills.
• Immediate feedback on players' performance allows them to learn from their mistakes and improve their ability to identify fake news.

Fakey is particularly useful in scenarios such as:

• Educators looking for a fun and engaging tool to teach students about news literacy and responsible news consumption.
• Individuals seeking to improve their ability to identify and debunk fake news on social media platforms.
• Organizations promote media literacy and critical thinking skills among their members or employees.

Drawbacks and Limitations:

• Its focus on a simulated social media feed means it may cover only some types of fake news or misinformation encountered on the internet.
• As an AI-generated game, the content may only partially represent the complexity and nuance of real-world misinformation.
• The game's reliance on an internet connection may limit its accessibility for some users.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

Fakey is an engaging and interactive news literacy game that helps users develop the skills to identify and debunk fake news on social media platforms. Its AI-generated content and immediate feedback make it an enjoyable and educational experience for users of all ages.

However, users should be aware of its limitations and consider using additional resources, tools, or platforms to complement Fakey for a more comprehensive approach to improving news literacy and combating misinformation.