The Israel Internet Association (ISOC-IL) is proud to announce the launch of “BADOOK!”, a new educational mobile app designed to strengthen information literacy skills and critical thinking. The game made its debut at the 2026 Games for Change Israel (G4C) conference, which took place on July 14 at the Microsoft Reactor in Tel Aviv, as part of the GameIS 2026 conference week.
“BADOOK!”, which means “It’s checked!” in Hebrew, is the first Hebrew mobile educational information literacy game that teaches students how to verify online content and identify misinformation using the SIFT model (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace). This gaming platform was developed and implemented under the academic guidance of Dr. Jonathan Mendels from the Mofet Institute, as part of ISOC-IL’s Disinformation Resilience Israel (DRI) project supported by the European Union.
BADOOK! is designed to equip children aged 10-14 with practical tools to navigate today’s complex information environment and think before they share content online. It encourages and stimulates them to assess online information and visuals, identify misleading information, and apply critical thinking skills in real-world digital contexts. It was designed and created by Rimon studio, directed by veteran Israeli game designer Nimrod Dweck.
View screenshots of the game:
The Games for Change Israel conference brought together developers, educators, and researchers who use digital games to address social and educational challenges. As part of the exhibition, ISOC-IL showcased BADOOK! to conference participants through an interactive presentation space, introducing the game’s approach to strengthening information literacy among young audiences.
From L-R: Edan Ring, VP of Community Affairs and DRI Capacity Building Director (ISOC-IL); Dima Assad Nicola, Head of Digital Inclusion Programs (ISOC-IL); Dr. Jonathan Mendels, Head of Knowledge Management at the PLC R&D unit at the Mofet Institute; and Dr. Shakked Dabran Zivan, Head of Online Literacy and Safety (ISOC-IL)
The presentation at G4C marks the first public exposure of BADOOK! ahead of its wider release. The game is now available on Android devices, with an Apple App Store release coming soon. It is expected to be integrated into educational activities in schools in preparation for the upcoming school year. Supporting materials, including guidance for teachers and students, are available in Hebrew on the ISOC-IL website.
BADOOK! is the latest addition to ISOC-IL’s growing suite of educational tools designed to strengthen digital resilience and promote responsible online engagement among younger users. By combining gameplay with media literacy education, it introduces information verification skills in a format that is engaging, accessible, and age-appropriate.
The activity was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ISOC-IL and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
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