Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley is encouraging young people to enter a competition with the aim of tackling disinformation.

Young people across Scotland are being asked to chronicle the impact that disinformation has had on them and their peers and to share their ideas on how to tackle the problem.

The competition, launched by Glasgow South MP Stewart McDonald, runs until 31 January 2022.

Young people aged 16-30 can enter with a six-minute video on how disinformation has affected them and their peers. They are also encouraged to share their own policy ideas on how disinformation can best be tackled. The winning entry will receive £100 and have their video published.

Commenting Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“This competition is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Lanark and Hamilton East to help tackle the problem of disinformation and to influence policy makers with their experiences. 

“Disinformation can be seen everywhere – conspiracy theories spreading across WhatsApp groups and private Facebook pages to political disinformation weaponised by hostile foreign actors.

“In 2022, it is clear just how widespread and growing a problem disinformation is for every society. It threatens every part of our lives, from our democracy to our national security, and it needs to be addressed by the people in power.

“We know that it is young people who are so often the target of disinformation, but we also know they are often the most resilient to it too. This is exactly why my colleague has launched this Disinformation Video Contest for young people.

“I am certain that the young people of Lanark and Hamilton East can help us tackle disinformation and build up national information resilience against it.”

Videos can be emailed, along with a 100 word biography, to stewart.mcdonald.mp@parliament.uk or sent via WeTranfer at stewartmcdonaldmp.wetransfer.com

The winner will be announced on 7th February 2022. They will receive £100 and videos will be published on Stewart McDonald’s website and social media channels.