Evolution of an emerging concept: characteristics of fake news and possible implications for the education system

Worries about the diffusion of fake news and its impact on society have grown considerably in the last few years. Researchers in different fields have recognized the need to better understand the reasons behind its spread and identify strategies to combat it. This article resumes the main results achieved in different fields of knowledge, to define a theoretical framework. We performed a systematic review of recent literature (2013–2018), which showed that even if the concept of “fake news” has attracted a great number of researchers there still isn’t a clear definition of the phenomenon nor a plan on how to combat it. The results suggest the need for education and schools to promote programme and policies that may support pupils in recognizing and defending themselves from fake news at national and international levels.