We are in an era where information spreads at lightning speed with no context or verification to help people assess whether it is true. Children are especially susceptible to believing what they see and hear, particularly if the message is encased in a brief, shocking or entertaining snippet - they can feel smart and informed without doing any of the work. So, if your child has access to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, X or any other social sharing platform it’s time for some parental guidance.
Read MoreWhy are our kids SOOOO susceptible to believing fake stories that circulate online? The truth is they’re not alone, adults are susceptible too and it all has to do with basic human psychology. These are my top tips for teaching your child how to suss out when something feels fishy online and how to do their research before believing (and sharing!).
Read MoreWe are living in a time when many Americans prefer to get their news in small bites from social media recommendations, rather than from the more in depth analysis of legitimate news organizations. But we now know that this reliance creates what are known as information “filter bubbles” where we only see news we agree with and are never exposed to alternative or opposing views. I am more and more convinced that gathering information solely from social media is leading to some pretty terrible outcomes and few groups are more vulnerable to the negative repercussions of this than teenagers.
Read MoreThis week is National Media Literacy Week - I know it doesn’t sound very sexy or festive or exciting, but it’s actually a really big deal and I’m going to tell you why! By teaching our kids to become critical thinkers, creators and skeptics when it comes to media, we give them an invaluable skill that will protect them and help them to make sound choices online as they get older. Read on to get some easy tips for starting these conversations with your kiddos!