DF2: Lesson 1 Investigating Online Credibility

Could your students detect a fake post before it spreads?

Teach students to spot fake online content like digital detectives. This KS3 / lower secondary computing lesson  introduces students to forensic credibility analysis by training them to question what they see on social media.

It begins with a trust score challenge that exposes how easily intuition can be fooled, then builds core analysis skills using real-world digital artefacts - social media posts, bios, and images - all designed to reveal signs of manipulation, cloning, and deception.

Students work through a structured evidence evaluation, link patterns between artefacts, and reach a final judgement using visual, text, and metadata clues. They then write a professional-style alert memo recommending moderation action based on their findings.

A full classroom adaptation guide and model answers are included to support every learner - without lowering the challenge.

Through this, students uncover:

• How to classify system behaviour using a structured log investigation tool
• Why timing, access roles, and sequence patterns matter in threat detection
• How to use a risk scoring system to prioritise suspicious actions
• What makes an entry a potential breach, cover-up, or access point

Files download instantly.