How To Teach Your Kids About “Fake News”

“Fake news” is a refrain we see a lot on social media. Now more than ever, it is important for kids and adults alike to be able to discern genuine news stories and articles from false narratives pushed by certain groups. According to Howard Schneider of the Center for News Literacy, giving kids and teens access to the internet without “the tools to judge what information is trustworthy and what is potentially harmful” is the equivalent of telling your eleven-year-old to drive to the grocery store and pick up the essentials.

So, how do you teach kids about fake news? First, it’s important to define the term. Children have probably already heard people talking about fake news, but they must understand that it is not simply news that you disagree with. It is news that is totally made up.

The next step is to teach your children a few critical questions to ask when looking at media. Who made this and are they credible? What is left out of the message that might be important? Are other reliable sources talking about this story and are they discussing it in the same manner? Teaching kids to investigate stories rather than accepting them at face-value is critical.

According to Schneider, kids are coming into contact with news every day, even if they aren’t reading it online or watching it on television. If children aren’t engaged with the news, consider making it a daily part of family life. This will encourage children to take an interest and can also combat against disinformation.

Fighting against fake news is a difficult task for parents in today’s world. But if you communicate with your children, you can figure out what they’re hearing and give them the tools to navigate this confusing landscape.