Online Safety: Teaching Kids to Spot Fake News

Introduction

On the internet, trustworthy news and false information coexist. Children’s ability to distinguish trustworthy information from an ocean of digital content is more crucial than ever in today’s digital environment. Developing media literacy skills is essential for all ages, from young children just beginning to explore the internet to teenagers navigating social media.

CMR Gandhi is one of the best CBSE schools in Sarjapur Road and our esteemed teachers and facilitators are Montessori trained or hold a B.Ed. Whenever a child comes to them with a query, they never shun them down but patiently respond to their query. They go an extra mile in explaining the consequences of responding to fake news. 

Understanding Misinformation

Here is how to teach your children the fundamentals of identifying misinformation in a way that is acceptable for their age.

Don’t we all love watching videos? Let’s watch this quick video which will help you to identify a fake news:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Cd9-eJ-No

Practical Tips for Parents

Teaching kids to question sources and verify information is essential in today’s digital world. They should learn to identify fake social media accounts and recognise red flags that indicate misinformation. Using fact-checking tools and real-world examples helps them develop critical thinking skills, ensuring they rely on accurate and trustworthy information.

Explain the Concept of “True” and “False” to Young Children (Ages 4–7)

Knowing the difference between real and fake is fundamental for young children. Here’s how to explain the difference between “true” and “false”:

• Use Simple Examples

Use age-appropriate examples and activities to reinforce the learning process while teaching children how to recognise fake news online.

 

• Use Stories to Teach Scepticism:

This involves teaching them to question information they see, check the content’s source, look for red flags like sensational headlines or dubious authors, verify information with other trustworthy sources, and discuss the motivations behind spreading misinformation.

Turn it into a game. Ask them to identify what might be “make-believe” after you show them silly, made-up stories. Due to this activity, they gain the ability to examine and recognize things that don’t feel real.

Get Tweens (Ages 8–12) to Ask “Why”

As children get older, they might begin investigating the reasons behind the dissemination of misleading information and the reliability of various sources.

 

• To stimulate curiosity:

When kids come across something unexpected or dubious on the internet, encourage them to ask “Why?” How come someone would say that? “What do you think caused them to post that?” Fostering a healthy sense of curiosity in them will encourage them to challenge dramatic headlines or startling assertions.

Let’s see what Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra, founder of Children and Screens has for us. She has moderated this podcast and got distinguished professionals like Dr. Joel Breakstone, the Director of the Stanford University, and Jevin West, Associate Professor in the Information School at the University of Washington. 

Diana Graber, the third panellist is an expert on Digital literacy and the author of ”Raising Humans in a Digital World.” All the three panellists took live questions from parents to answer their specific queries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia6g9AZS3yM

• Utilise Safe Sites as Examples:

Along with your tween, go over a few instances of inaccurate or misleading information. Look for a headline that is clearly meant to attract attention and explain why it might not be totally accurate. To demonstrate the difference, compare it with more reliable sources.

Practice Identifying Warning Signs with Teens (13–18 Years Old)

Teens are more likely to come across misleading material on social media since they spend a lot of time online. Developing lifetime media literacy skills can be achieved by assisting them in recognizing warning signs. Here are some tips for assisting your kids in spotting the fake news.

• Instruct Them in Typical Warning Signs:

With a little basic guidance, teens can identify a lot of warning signs. Urge them to search for headlines that are clickbait, such as “You won’t believe what happens next!” Absence of author information or sources exaggerated or overly sentimental language Unidentified sources or articles that aren’t being covered by other websites.

• Encourage The Use of Source or Citations:

Teach students how to conduct a fast search to find out if a story has been covered by other trustworthy news outlets. Describe how reliable news outlets frequently cover the same significant events, so they should be wary if they don’t see it elsewhere.

 

• Describe the Reasons for False Information:

Teens are able to comprehend the idea of “clickbait” and the reasons why fake news is spread for political, commercial, or entertainment purposes. Discuss why certain individuals or groups disseminate misleading information and how identifying the motivation can help prevent it.

Resources and Tools

Some of the fact-checking websites, browser extensions, and educational programs which you can go through at leisure:

• Google Fact Check Tools
• Media Bias/Fact Check
• Macdonald-Kelce Library

Conclusion

Misinformation often influences the young and impressionable mind negatively and they end up forming perceptions which lead to making decisions based on the fake information. Digital literacy is of paramount importance in today’s era of IoT (internet of things). 

We at CMR encourage parents to start conversations about online safety with your children. Whether you have a young Montessori going child, tween or teenager child, the responsibility of shaping their future lies in your hands.