Google launches multi-stage fact-checking challenge for youth
Called the Youth Verification Challenge, it trains youth to weed out misinformation that can be tricky to find.
If you like investigating mysteries or dream of becoming the next Sherlock Holmes, you might like Google’s newest initiative.
Google has launched the Youth Verification Challenge, a fact-checking campaign with gaming elements. It challenges participants both individually and in teams to develop their critical thinking and verification skills.
The challenge is open to youths aged 15 to 24 in the Asia-Pacific region, and will run from April to September. It covers eight languages: English, Bahasa Indonesia, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.
Hosted by the Google News Initiative, the challenge aims to raise Generation Z youths’ awareness of misinformation in a fun and interactive manner. It is a follow-up to the University Verification Challenge conducted in 2021.
The challenge spans several months from April to September 2022, and consists of four stages of activities called “chapters” that get progressively harder. Youths will also have the opportunity to gain insights from professional fact-checkers and learn about their work.
The first two chapters can be solved individually, but the third will require youths to team up.
In the first chapter, youths will be given an online tutorial on basic fact-checking before solving some live quizzes on set dates and times. Youths who complete six out of the eight live quizzes will be eligible for some Google giveaways.
More information about the other chapters will be released in due time.
Registration for the first chapter of the challenge begins today (Mar 31). Those interested can register here by Apr 16.
The full timeline for the Youth Verification Challenge is shown below.
Chapter 1: Level Up
Registration: Mar 31 to Apr 16
Challenge period: Apr 18 to Apr 28
Chapter 2: Meet the Legends
Registration: Apr 25 to May 13
Live sessions: May 17, May 24, May 31, Jun 7
Chapter 3: A Detective’s Test
Registration: Sep 1 to Sep 12
Live challenge: Sep 14
Chapter 4: Battle of the Finest
Verification battle: Sep 21
