Finland has developed a long-term strategy to fight fake news by teaching media literacy from early childhood. Media education has been part of the national school curriculum since the 1990s, with lessons starting in preschool. The program is used nationwide, including in schools in Helsinki and other cities, and helps students understand news, advertising, and online information. Attention to the policy increased after 2022, when the war in Ukraine raised concerns about disinformation in Europe. Interest grew further after Finland joined NATO in 2023. Officials said the goal is to protect democracy and social stability by strengthening people’s ability to identify false or misleading claims. Finland has about 5.6 million people and regularly ranks first in the European Media Literacy Index.

Experts link this success to long-term education and cooperation between schools, media organizations, and public institutions. In classrooms, students learn how to check sources, compare headlines, and question images shared online. Teachers explain how emotional language and missing information can affect understanding. Recent lessons also address artificial intelligence, as AI-generated images and videos have increased online risks. Media companies support schools through programs such as Newspaper Week, which provides free access to verified news. Researchers in Helsinki warned that future AI tools may create more convincing false content, increasing risks to public trust. However, specialists said early education can reduce long-term risks by building strong critical thinking skills.