Warning, may cause truth decay: Exploring the cannibalizing effect of social digital media and conspiracy theories on democracy and our public schools

Abstract

AbstractIn this article, I examine how forms of new media, or social and digital media (SDM), can serve as conduits of participatory democracy while, at the same time, perpetuate the cannibalization of a cornerstone of democracy: public schools. I discuss how this new era of unprecedented access to content creation and dissemination has opened spaces and opportunities to spread misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (MDM) about public schooling. I trace how forms of SDM are being used to perpetuate the anti‐CRT movement, foster attacks on LGBTQ+ students, and exacerbate the villainizing and doxing of educators and leaders in public schools. I then discuss the role of critical media literacy in a democracy to combat these movements, and offer suggestions and provocations to address these cannibalistic campaigns against public schools.