Empowering young people to combat fake news and conspiracy theories
Agent C is an interactive workshop that helps young people aged 12–21 understand the rise of online fake news and conspiracy theories, especially narratives that promote division or hate.
Through engaging activities and open discussions, the program builds critical thinking skills, digital resilience, helping students safely navigate and respond to harmful misinformation, and encourages stimulating conversations among peers.
Since its launch in 2021, Agent C has reached over a thousand young people across Australia, helping them unpack and challenge divisive mis/disinformation. With the new social media restrictions coming into effect, the program also plays an important role in helping students understand and engage safely with online content in this changing landscape.
Supported by NSW Government, the program has been independently evaluated by Urbis, demonstrating its significant impact.
Agent C is currently free for NSW schools and services, and is available to students from Year 7 to Year 12. If you’re located outside NSW, get in touch with us to explore our fee-for-service options.
Proven Impact: Independently Evaluated by Urbis
Leading research and advisory firm Urbis has independently evaluated the Agent C program. The evaluation highlights the program’s effectiveness in equipping young people with critical thinking skills to identify and challenge online misinformation.
Agent C reached over a thousand of young people across 35 settings in NSW between January 2022 and June 2024 (41% above its intended target).
All school staff reported Agent C content was informative, and the vast majority would recommend Agent C to other teachers and schools. Nearly all school staff felt Agent C had helped to address issues related to hateful or divisive misinformation at their school.
Access the full report3-minute quick video created by Urbis.
Outcomes
77% of Agent C participants feel more confident in their ability to tell when something is fake news
72% of participant respondents have a better understanding of the media
76% feel more confident in their ability to tell when something is a conspiracy theory
72% learned new skills for talking to their friends and family about fake news and conspiracy theories
(Agent C is) giving (participants) a better understanding of not just things like misinformation and conspiracy theories, but online hate, racism, privilege, identity… (and) then also how those things interact with each other.
Feedback from participant survey, extracted from Urbis evaluation report 2024
How Agent C has Evolved
2021 – Co-design and Development
Co-designed with young people, All Together Now developed Agent C using evidence-based strategies to build capabilities in combating hateful misinformation and disinformation. The program was funded by a multi-year grant from the NSW government (Multicultural NSW).
2022 – 2024 – Virtual Delivery
The program was delivered online for young people aged 14-21 across NSW. Content was continually updated to reflect emerging trends and research in the fake news and conspiracy theories landscape.
July – Dec 2024 – Expansion for Younger Students
The program was delivered online for young people aged 14-21 across NSW. Content was continually updated to reflect emerging trends and research in the fake news and conspiracy theories landscape.
July 2025 – NSW Government Funding and Program Expansion
Building on the program’s success, Agent C received additional funding from the NSW Government to broaden its reach and impact. This funding supports the development of new program components, including in-person workshops, tailored content for younger student cohorts, and refreshed learning materials. The program is now free for NSW schools and services with limited places available.
Our Partners and Supporters
From 2021 to 2024, the NSW project was funded by the NSW Government through Multicultural NSW. We were proud to partner with Headspace Camperdown, who supported the co-design process and the promotion of the project, and Urbis, who independently evaluated the project. We also worked closely with a range of other specialists – including academics and co-design experts who offered valuable advice and guidance throughout the program.
Between July and December 2024, the national expansion of the program to include young people aged 12–14 was supported by funding from Deutsche Bank. In 2025 to 2026, the project is once again supported by the NSW government through strategic partnership funding from Multicultural NSW.
All Together Now is seeking partnership opportunities from government agencies, corporate sponsors or philanthropic organisations to continue and grow the Agent C program nationally. If you’re interested in supporting our mission, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us.
Program Details
The Agent C program comprises a series of interactive and engaging workshops designed for young people. The program utilises various research-backed methods, including media literacy, critical reading, prebunking (Inoculation Theory) and decoding harmful stereotypes.
Delivery: Online only via Zoom with 2 expert facilitators. In-person workshops will be available in late 2026.
Duration:
2 hours (or 2 school periods) for young people aged 12-13 (Year 7-8 students)
4 hours (or 4 school periods) for young people aged 14-18 (Year 9-12 students)
Workshops can be delivered in one or two-hour blocks – we are flexible!
Participants: Ideal groups are between 15-30 students.
Cost: Free for NSW schools or services (places are limited!)
If you’re located outside NSW, please contact us at [email protected] to explore our fee-for-service options.
Why Agent C
Evidence-based Strategies
Learn to identify and challenge harmful content, including conspiracy theories, fake news and hateful narratives.
Unpack Harmful Messages
Support educators and young people in analysing and challenging online narratives that spread racism, hate, misogyny and division
Foster Critical Thinking
Help young people to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between racism, hate, power and privilege.
Develop Resilience
The program aims to enhance the confidence and capacity of young people to engage with and counter divisive and hateful content.
Safe and Stimulating Discussions
Equip young people to talk critically about online content in a supportive environment.
Fully Funded and Free for NSW
No cost for NSW schools or services, making it easy to bring this valuable program to your students!
Get Started with Agent C
NSW – Free Program
If your school or service is located in NSW, you may be eligible to participate in our fully funded program at no cost (limited places available).
– Small and large group options available (subject to capacity)
– Delivered online or in person
Outside NSW – Fee-for-Service Program
If your school or service is located outside of NSW, or if your NSW school is seeking a large-scale booking beyond our free program capacity, we’d love to discuss our fee-for-service options.
Simply complete the form below to express your interest in the Agent C Program.
We Need Your Support
Help us empower young people
All Together Now is seeking partnership opportunities from government agencies, corporate sponsors or philanthropic organisations to continue and grow the Agent C program nationally.
Our existing partners and supporters have been instrumental in making the Agent C program accessible to schools and young people across Australia.
With your support, we can reach more young people and equip them with the skills and confidence to critically navigate and challenge harmful fake news, conspiracy theories, and hate-fuelled narratives.
Your contribution can make a real difference in helping the next generation build resilience against hate and misinformation.
If you’re interested in supporting our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
Nearly all school staff say…
Agent C content was informative, and the vast majority would recommend Agent C to other teachers and schools.
Agent C had helped to address issues related to hateful or divisive misinformation at their school.
Extracted from Urbis evaluation report – 2024
FAQs
Program Content & Learning Outcomes
Who is the program for?
The Agent C program is designed for young people, particularly those aged 12-21, who are vulnerable to engaging with online fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories. Schools and youth services are invited to participate by hosting these workshops for their students and young people.
Why is Agent C important?
Children and young people are increasingly vulnerable to engaging with fake news and conspiracy theories online, including divisive and hateful forms. In 2021 All Together Now started the Agent C project as we noticed that the COVID-19 pandemic and extended lockdowns had caused a significant rise in online conspiracy theories and fake news, and also had created the ideal circumstances for racism and right-wing extremism to flourish.
Recent developments in terms of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the impact of international and local events, have added a new dimension to the problem of online disinformation. Freely available and largely unregulated AI tools make it possible for anyone to easily generate false information and produce fake and hateful content in large quantities.
The Agent C program aims to enhance the skills and confidence of young people to unpack and critically engage with hateful conspiracy theories and fake news, thereby increasing their agency, resilience and self-worth.
What topics does the program cover?
Our workshops explore how to spot fake news, mis/disinformation and conspiracy theories, build critical thinking skills, and encourage respectful discussions. The sessions aim to build an understanding with young people of the relationship between mis/disinformation and online hate, including racism, misogyny, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-LGBTQIA+ hate and ableism.
How does this program link to the curriculum?
The content supports the Australian Curriculum in areas such as English, Civics and Citizenship, Digital Technologies, and Wellbeing. It also helps students strengthen media and racial literacy and critical thinking skills.
Logistics & Delivery
How long is each workshop?
The entire program is 2 hours long for 12-13 year olds (Year 7-8) and 4 hours long for 14-21 year olds (Year 9-12 and beyond). Workshops can be delivered in one or two-hour blocks – we are flexible!
Can the program be delivered online as well as in-person?
We offer both in-person and online delivery. Online sessions can be run in blocks (e.g. two x 2-hour sessions) and can be split across multiple days.
How many students can participate at once?
We recommend one class (up to about 30 students) per workshop to ensure interactive and engaging discussions. Larger groups can be accommodated with notice.
What equipment or space do we need to provide?
For in-person delivery, we require a classroom or hall with a screen, projector, and speakers.
For online delivery, students will need their own devices and headphones with internet access.
Cost & Funding
How much does the program cost?
Thanks to generous funding support by Multicultural NSW, the program is currently free for NSW schools and services. For schools outside of NSW, please get in touch with us to discuss tailored fee-for-service options that suit your needs.
Booking & Scheduling
Do you deliver the program outside of NSW?
Yes, our program can be delivered nationally through online or in-person settings. If you are interested in implementing the Agent C program to Years 7–12 at your school or youth service, please get in touch with us to discuss tailored fee-for-service options that suit your needs.
How do we book a session?
Simply contact our team via email at [email protected] or complete the booking form on our website.
What happens if we need to reschedule or cancel?
If you or your students cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your spots to others on the waiting list. You may also request to reschedule the workshop to another time, depending on availability. Please email [email protected] to reschedule.
Student Engagement & Safety
Who delivers the program?
Our facilitators are highly trained professionals with expertise in education, youth engagement, and countering misinformation. They bring a wealth of experience, energy, and a student-centred approach to ensure every session is engaging and impactful.
Is the content age-appropriate and safe?
Absolutely. Our workshops are carefully designed for young people and delivered with sensitivity around challenging topics. We regularly update and refresh the content to ensure it stays relevant, accurate, and safe for students.
How does the program take into account the social media ban?
The Agent C program supports students in navigating the evolving online environment, including new social media restrictions. Through interactive activities and guided discussions, students learn to critically assess the reliability of content, identify misinformation and harmful narratives, and develop strategies for safe and responsible online engagement. The program is designed for both students already using social media and those preparing to enter these platforms, helping all young people become thoughtful, resilient digital citizens despite changing policies and platforms.
What child safety measures/policies do you follow?
All Together Now is committed to child safety. We actively promote an organisational culture in which all children participating in any of All Together Now’s programs or services feel comfortable, safe and empowered. Our Child Safe Policy can be accessed here.
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