UK youth show alarming gaps in Holocaust knowledge and denial issues on social media
A study has revealed that a third of young adults in the UK cannot name Auschwitz or any other concentration camps related to the Holocaust. This alarming statistic is part of a larger international survey that also highlights similar gaps in knowledge among young people in other countries such as the US.
The findings have been published in advance of the International Day of Commemoration in honour of Holocaust victims and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, which is set to take place on Monday. The backdrop to this revelation is the growing concerns over rising antisemitism and the resurgence of far-right ideologies.
In the UK, over a quarter of respondents were unable to identify a single Nazi camp or ghetto from the Second World War. In a notable gesture, King Charles is scheduled to visit Auschwitz to commemorate the liberation alongside survivors and dignitaries, including Poland's president, Andrzej Duda.
Amid these findings, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has committed to enhancing Holocaust education in the UK, stating that it should become a "truly national endeavour" and ensuring that all schools teach about it. Keir Starmer emphasised the importance of remembering the six million Jewish victims and countering denial of the Holocaust.
When asked to name concentration camps, 26% of UK respondents reported being unaware of any, with the figure rising to 33% among those aged 18-29. Compared to the UK, a staggering 48% of young adults in the US claimed ignorance of the camps. Auschwitz-Birkenau remains the most recognised camp, identified by 69% of UK respondents.
Research indicates that Holocaust education efforts are impactful, yet concerns persist regarding the proliferation of Holocaust denial and misinformation on social media platforms. Approximately 23% of respondents in the UK indicated they had encountered Holocaust denial online.
Prof Stuart Foster from the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education commented on the concerning levels of awareness of the Holocaust, exacerbated by misinformation circulating on social media. Nonetheless, there is significant support for integrating Holocaust education in schools.
Among those exposed to Holocaust denial, X and Facebook were the predominant platforms, reported by 42% of respondents. However, TikTok emerged as a significant source for younger individuals, also cited by 42% of the 18-29 age group.
The survey further revealed that many did not know that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, with some believing fewer than two million were killed. Alarmingly, in certain countries, young adults had not heard of the Holocaust at all, highlighting the urgent need for improved Holocaust education.
Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference, called for more effective education to address these knowledge gaps. The survey was overseen by a taskforce of historians and experts from key institutions in Holocaust education.
