Philadelphia high school students fight AI slop and internet lies

Nine seniors at Kensington Health Science Academy are on a mission to teach their classmates how to spot misinformation and disinformation online.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Nine seniors at Kensington Health Science Academy in Philadelphia are leading a school-wide effort to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media and the internet. They've created a curriculum called Project FACTS that teaches students how to analyze online content, challenge false claims, and think critically before sharing information. The student-led initiative has gained momentum, with the FACTS club meeting weekly and the students presenting their findings to the wider student body through assemblies and discussions.

Why it matters

In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, the school launched this nonpartisan effort to help young people decipher fact from fiction online. The students are concerned about their peers and loved ones making decisions based on bad information, especially as the 2026 midterm elections approach. They also want to educate not just students, but the adults in their lives who may be vulnerable to online scams and misinformation.

The details

The FACTS curriculum, which stands for 'find out where a post is from, analyze it, challenge it, think for yourself before you share,' was developed by the nine senior students and their principal, Nimet Eren. They incorporated the lessons into homeroom and advisory periods, making the message more powerful when delivered by students. The FACTS club meets weekly to research and interrogate online content, and the students have designed fake texts and emails to demonstrate how misinformation can spread. They also hosted a panel of doctors, nurses, and reporters to help their peers navigate truth from fiction about medical misinformation.

  • In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, KHSA Principal Nimet Eren launched Project FACTS.
  • Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the FACTS seniors are ramping up their efforts again.

The players

Nimet Eren

The principal of Kensington Health Science Academy who launched the Project FACTS initiative.

Apollo Sunun

A senior at Kensington Health Science Academy who is part of the FACTS student group.

Arianna Cartagena

A senior at Kensington Health Science Academy who is part of the FACTS student group.

Saniya Salcedo

A senior at Kensington Health Science Academy who is part of the FACTS student group.

Jalyssa Moll

A senior at Kensington Health Science Academy who is part of the FACTS student group.

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What they’re saying

“People are trying to control what you think and see.”

— Apollo Sunun, Senior (Chalkbeat)

“We weren't trying to persuade them into just thinking that social media was negative, but to make them think about how using social media may impact their lives.”

— Arianna Cartagena, Senior (Chalkbeat)

“I definitely hear kids use the FACTS acronym around the school, and it lets me know people really understand.”

— Saniya Salcedo, Senior (Chalkbeat)

What’s next

Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the FACTS seniors will continue their efforts to educate their peers and loved ones about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation online.

The takeaway

This student-led initiative at Kensington Health Science Academy demonstrates the power of empowering young people to think critically about the information they encounter online. By creating a curriculum that teaches media literacy and critical thinking skills, the school is equipping its students with the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape and make informed decisions, both now and in the future.