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Was false information to blame for the summer riots?

30th August - 06th September 2024

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23391

Total votes

5443

5-11 votes

17948

11-16+ votes

After the UK experienced a slew of anti-immigration and far-right riots following the attack in Southport on the 29th July, we created a set of lessons that considered what role false information had to play. Primary pupils discussed the riots but with a stronger focus on the unity many communities displayed in response to the violence. Those aged 11+ delved more deeply into the misinformation and disinformation that spread online in the hours after the attack and then considered how far it was to blame for the riots that followed.

Secondary, 16+ & College voters were asked: “Was false information to blame for the summer riots?”, while Primary 9-11 voters discussed: “Were you proud of your community this summer?” and Primary 5-9 voters considered: “Are you proud of your community?”

23,391 young people in the UK have taken part in this vote.

Tourists & Locals child

Age 5-11 voter

We are happy and proud to live in a community where people are kind and helpful to each other.

Tourists & Locals teen

Age 11-16 voter

Even after it was confirmed to be false information, people carried on rioting showing that there was an external cause.

Tourists & Locals student

Age 11-16 voter

[if] there was no misinformation on the topic then the riots would not have happened because the issues of immigration would not have been raised in the first place.

Feedback from our Impact Partners...

Thank you to Olivia Williams, Campaign Manager at /together for responding to young people's voices on this VoteTopic!

54% of 9-11-year olds said they were proud of their community and the acts of unity they displayed in the aftermath.

  • 77% of 5-9-year olds voted 'Yes' to the question, "Are you proud of your community?"
  • Meanwhile, 54% of 9-11-year olds said 'Yes' to the question, "Were you proud of your community this summer?"
  • Some said the acts of unity their communities displayed were heartwarming, whereas others were disappointed that they were necessary in the wake of the riots.
59% of Secondary students thought that misinformation online was responsible for the riots that took place.

  • 59% of Secondary students voted 'Yes' to the question, “Was false information to blame for the summer riots?”
  • 62% of College and older students agreed.
Most voters aged 11+ said that false information was at least partly to blame for the violence that occurred.

  • Young people had a relatively mixed response for how far false information was to blame for the riots this summer. However, most agreed that it was at least partially responsible.
  • Some pointed out that the riots continued even after the information about the attacker was proven false, suggesting it wasn't the only reason for the violence.
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