THE charity that runs Devon’s libraries is partnering with The Guardian Foundation to bring a series of news literacy workshops for families across the county.

Libraries Unlimited staff, supported by a facilitator from the Foundation, will deliver the NewsWise workshops.

The sessions are designed to generate curiosity and critical engagement with the news and to give children the skills to reduce the risk of online harm and make sense of the world.

The Ofcom-funded programme will focus on the whole family, promoting awareness and open conversations between parents, carers, and children.

From February half-term onwards, children aged 7 to 11, with their parents and carers, will be able to join workshops in Newton Abbot Library.

The workshops are completely free.

Workshop attendees and library members can also browse and borrow a new collection of books on the topic of fake news and information.

Alex Kittow, Chief Executive Officer at Libraries Unlimited, said: ‘Libraries are safe spaces for learning and not just through books.

‘We are looking forward to empowering children to think critically about news and its sources.

‘The volume of information in the world can be overwhelming for anyone, so we are excited to be working with The Guardian Foundation and Ofcom to make media literacy skills accessible’.

Claire Levens, Head of Media Literacy Policy at Ofcom, said: ‘Ofcom is delighted to be working with Libraries Unlimited across Devon and Torbay to support communities as they develop media literacy skills.

‘We are keen to evaluate how these communities learn more about different types of media, online content and information sources and how to better understand mis- and dis-information, which should help them have the confidence to navigate content safely and flourish online.

‘Media literacy is everyone’s business and we’re looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this work in Devon’.