BBC Bitesize brings media literacy into classrooms with new series for teens
The public broadcaster is responding to teacher concern over misinformation and student anxiety with a classroom-ready media literacy program designed for secondary schools.
BBC Bitesize has launched Solve the Story, a six-part media literacy series designed for use in secondary school classrooms, as schools continue to grapple with how best to support students navigating complex online information.
BBC Bitesize provides free digital learning resources for students and teachers across the UK. The new series is positioned as a classroom-ready tool to help teenagers slow down, question online content, and understand how misinformation and misleading narratives spread.
Series designed to fit existing classroom pressures
Solve the Story uses short-form video episodes supported by practical “how-to” guides for teachers. The materials are intended to be used directly in lessons, with a focus on critical thinking skills such as source checking, identifying misleading claims, and recognizing bias.
The series forms part of the BBC’s Bitesize Other Side of the Story initiative, which focuses on helping young people become more critical consumers of online information.
According to the BBC, hundreds of schools have already signed up to take part in the January rollout, suggesting demand for structured, ready-to-use media literacy content rather than standalone guidance.
Focus on real-world impact for students and teachers
Alongside the teaching materials, the series includes a case study from a secondary school in Manchester, where teachers describe the impact misinformation is having on students’ confidence, wellbeing, and decision-making.
The BBC says the aim is to help schools address these challenges within existing curriculum constraints, without adding further workload for teachers.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, says: “In today’s digital landscape, media literacy isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Solve The Story will help schools to equip young people with the critical thinking tools they need to navigate online content confidently, verify what they see, and protect their mental well-being.”
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