Jan. 26, 2017
Photo by PeopleImages / iStock
We teach our children the importance of honesty, but how do we equip them to recognize when they’re being deceived? The conversation surrounding fake news and “alternative facts” has gained significant traction lately. Many of us parents grew up in an era where information was less accessible and less overwhelming. We navigated a world with fewer distractions—remember rotary phones?
Even as adults, the constant influx of information can be daunting. When we struggle to discern what’s real amidst the noise of social platforms like Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy to imagine how much harder it is for kids to differentiate between credible information and mere speculation. What constitutes truth, and what is simply “truth-ish?”
Pause Before Reacting
Many misleading narratives thrive on our impulse to respond immediately. With the rapid news cycle, erroneous information spreads quickly. A quirky habit of mine (which may resonate with some of you) is that I often find myself talking back to the media while driving. I might say things like, “Really?” or “What’s the evidence for that?” Of course, I don’t only do this when my kids are present—I do it alone, too! Other drivers may think I’m on my phone, but in reality, I’m just engaging with the information I encounter!
This habit introduces a critical mindset, prompting both you and your children to slow down and analyze the information before accepting it as truth.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Just because something appears to be true doesn’t mean it is. In a world where anyone with a smartphone can manipulate images, it’s vital to teach our children not to take everything at face value. A fun way to illustrate this is by showing them examples of photoshopped images or misleading memes. These can be entertaining and serve as great teaching tools about interpretation and context.
Consider the Source
One day, my daughter came home from school and told me that a classmate had claimed that men could make women pregnant by sneezing. After suppressing my laughter, I reminded her of our previous conversations about seeking the truth. We discussed how friends might not always be reliable sources for information, especially on sensitive topics.
A key way to evaluate information is to consider its source. Ask questions like: Is this source credible? Are there other reputable outlets confirming this information? Has this source been truthful in the past? For older children, encourage them to compare different articles on the same topic from various perspectives—mainstream, left-leaning, right-leaning, or even fringe sources. Discuss the differences and analyze the language used to identify bias or agreement.
For younger children, engaging them in games like 20 Questions can sharpen their critical thinking skills and illustrate how easily conclusions can be drawn from limited information. My kids enjoy riddles, and there are countless resources available that can help develop this skill in a fun way.
Ultimately, there is no single formula for becoming a savvy consumer of information. However, fostering curiosity, encouraging inquiry, and nurturing critical thinking are essential steps. As parents, we can model this behavior and generate meaningful discussions with our children.
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Summary
In today’s fast-paced information age, it’s crucial to prepare our children to discern fact from fiction. Teaching them to pause before reacting, evaluate sources, and engage in critical thinking helps them navigate information effectively. By fostering curiosity and questioning, we can empower our kids to be informed consumers of information.