Scenario #7
Conspiracy video with youth “Le complot nouillles” (The Noodle conspiracy)
Aims / objectives
Developing counter-discourse materials with young people. The goal is to empower youth to take a more prominent and effective role in countering conspiracy theories. A production workshop is set up for young people to enrich their critical thinking and to acquire the necessary tools to protect themselves against conspiracy theories and other dangers of the Internet.
Through working out the concept and creation of a conspiracy video by the youth, it is possible to achieve the following objectives:
- To strengthen young people's critical thinking skills
- To encourage them learn to compare and evaluate information sources
- To help them identify the processes involved in conspiracy theories
Description of the method
The workshop is divided in 6 sessions:
- 1st session: Information session on the risks and dangers of the Internet.
- 2nd session: Analysis of the mechanisms of conspiracy theories.
Viewing a conspiracy video such as “The Conspiracy Cats” – see:
https://youtu.be/Il91bxLH1V0.
Discussion with youth: Have they ever watched conspiracy videos? If so, where did they find them? How is this video false? Why are young people interested in conspiracy theories? etc.
Highlight the mechanisms of conspiracy videos through the following criteria:
- the choice of music (sound, tone)
- the vocabulary used
- the secret revealed (we don't tell you everything)
- the images that are used, etc.
The other four sessions: Creating a conspiracy theory video with/by youth.
During these sessions, the young people will become involved in the creation of the whole mechanism. It includes the following stages of work:
- They will elaborate a conspiracy theory by using all the recurrent mechanisms of conspiracy videos such as:
- the choice of music
- the vocabulary used
- the secret being revealed
- the images used to create a conspiracy video.
- Video editing.
Overview
| Name of the method | Counter-discourse video (The Noodle Conspiracy) |
| Target group | Youth (13-18 years) |
| Duration | 6 sessions minimum |
| Spatial requirements | Computer equipment, internet network |
| Competences | Critical thinking, awareness raising about conspiracy theories and other dangers on the internet. |
| Objectives | Strengthening young people's critical thinking skills; helping them learn how to compare and evaluate information sources; helping them to identify the processes involved in conspiracy theories |
| Method description | The workshop is divided in 6 sessions: -1st session: Information session on the risks and dangers of the Internet. -2nd session: Analyse the mechanisms of conspiracy theories after viewing a conspiracy video such as The Conspiracy Cats. Discussion with youth regarding any experience they may have had with conspiracy videos. Highlight the mechanisms of conspiracy videos through their form and certain criteria. In the remaining sessions: Creating a conspiracy theory video with/by youth. During these sessions, the young people will use all the recurrent mechanisms of conspiracy videos. They will additionally learn how to do video editing. |
| Social work context | Method is suitable for different contexts in social and youth work; it can be used in informal settings as well as in formal settings such as workshops. |
| Preparation | The facilitator explains and exchanges information with youth about the risks and dangers of the Internet. The session on the mechanisms of a conspiracy video should be supported by the projection and analysis of previous conspiracy videos. |
| Risks | Density of sessions |
| Concept / application | - Association Les Militants des Savoirs: Rasha Nagem/Séraphin Alava -Association J’ouvre l'œil -Collège George Sand -Le service prévention jeunesse du Conseil Départemental 31 |
| References |
See other scenarios
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Deconstruction of Hate Speech
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The District of Legends
Text message to victims of hate speech
Argumentation training and countering hate speech – role play
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