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Critical thinking isn’t about doubting everything: it’s about learning how to find out what is true. Because only the truth can Break the Fake.
(From: This tip sheet is part of the Break the Fake project. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada )
Here are four quick and easy steps to find out the truth and share good information. Sometimes you only have to do one of these things, and most steps take less than a minute.
Using Fact-Checking Tools
Sometimes a single search can break the fake, if a professional fact-checker like Snopes has already done the work for you.
You can use our custom search engine bit.ly/fact-search.
If no reliable fact-checker has covered it yet, move on to Find the Source or Check Other Sources.
Find the Source
Because it’s so easy to copy and share things online, it’s important to find out where something originally came from before you decide whether or not to trust it.
The easiest way to find the source is usually to follow links that will lead you to the original story.
Use a search engine. See if you can find any information about where the story originally came from and do a search that includes that.
Verify the Source
Whether you’re looking at a website, a photo or video, or a news story, what really matters is whether or not the people who originally created it are trustworthy. You can’t always confirm that something is false, but if the source isn’t reliable you have no reason to believe it.
To find out if a source is reliable, ask three questions:
Do they really exist?
“About Us” pages and profiles are easy to fake, so use a search engine or Wikipedia to find out if other people say they really exist. Pay the most attention to things that are hard to fake.
Are they who they say they are?
It’s easy to pretend to be someone else online, so once you know the source really exists, you need to find out if what you’re looking at really came from them.
Are they trustworthy?
For sources of general information, like newspapers, find out if they have a process for making sure they’re giving you good information, and a good track record of doing it.
For more specialized sources, find out whether they’re experts or authorities on that topic. Do a search and make sure that they are an authority in the right field.
Check Other Sources
This step may sometimes be the last one you do, but it could also be the first. It’s a quick way of finding out if a source might be biased, or if a news story is true.
The News tab is better than the main Google search for this step. While not every source that’s included is perfectly reliable, they are all news outlets that really exist.
Our custom news search, bit.ly/news-search, searches ten Canadian and international sources of reliable news.
You can also use this step to find out whether something fits with what most of the experts on that topic agree – what’s called the consensus view. Use our custom search bit.ly/science-search to find the consensus on specialist topics like science and medicine.
Make sure to take at least one of these steps to double-check before you share anything you see online, every time. Because only you can break the fake.
This tip sheet is part of the Break the Fake project. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada
DHS 7th Grade Advice to Incoming 7th Graders
"Mrs. Stone's 7th-grade classes spent a day in the library talking about digital usage and addiction. We asked them to give a piece of advice to next year's 7th grade and we'd love to share their insightful thoughts!"
Random Acts of Kindness Online
from: CyberWise
t’s more important than ever to teach empathy from the very beginning, because our kids are going to need it. —Melinda Gates
Building Healthy Relationships with Media: A Parent's Guide to Media Literacy
from: NAMLE: National Association for Media Literacy Education
"Engage in Random Acts of Online Kindness"-- is ideal for Valentine's Day and we hope you will try them out today. Enjoy!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ynwVYCWr_CEfc60mWpeGpePnf4n-1pqP/view?usp=sharing
Is it safe to post pictures of my kid online?
From: CommonSense Media
Sharing pictures of our kids with friends and family is one of the most popular uses of social media and has become an everyday way to stay in touch. But it's worth knowing the facts before posting pictures or letting other people post pictures of your kids.
First, posting photos of your kids creates a digital footprint -- a kind of electronic paper trail -- that forms their identities in a world they haven't chosen to enter. Someday your preschoolers will grow up, and they might not want documentation of their diaper days hanging out online for their friends to find! Second, once you post a photo online, you lose control over it. Someone could easily copy the photo, tag it, save it, or otherwise use it -- and you might never know. Finally, everything you post has information that is valuable to advertisers and data collectors; posting a photo of a kid identifies you as someone who might be interested in baby products, for example.
At the very least, you can minimize the consequences with these precautions:
Use privacy settings.
Limit the audience of a post (only to family, for example).
Create a closed, invite-only group on a social media service such as Facebook.
Turn off your phone's GPS.
Consider using a nickname for your kids.
Think about using photo-sharing sites such as Google Photos and Flickr that require users to log in to see pictures (unlike on social media, where all your followers can see them).
Don't include your kid's friends in photos that you post.
Don't include any personally identifiable information, such as your home address, signs, your kid's school.
Be careful if you share custody. It can be emotionally difficult for exes to see photos of their kid when they're not included.
Be prepared for feedback of all kinds; not everyone will share the same view of the photo and online comments can lead to misunderstandings.
A Guide to Digital Citizenship and Cyber-Laws
From: Smart Advocate
Our society operates on two levels: the physical world and the digital world. We learn how to be global citizens by participating in school or in the towns and cities where we live, and these experiences teach us how to behave. However, we rarely get an education on digital citizenship, how to behave in the online world. Many people learn about digital culture by experimenting online on forums or social media sites, but this can come with dangers. We can educate ourselves on becoming better digital citizens by focusing on a few key themes.
To find out more about these topics:
1. Internet Safety
2. Digital Footprints and Reputation
3. Privacy and Security
4. Self-Image and Identity
5. Relationships and Communication
6. Information Literacy
7. Cyberbullying and Digital Drama
8. Creative Credit and Copyright
9. General Online Safety
Important to Know! Creating Secure Passwords… and Why!
Often, there is really only one thing standing between your sensitive information and criminals - your password. If they get it, they can get into banks accounts and private files, and wreak havoc. For this reason, it's important to know what makes a password strong and secure.
The Savvy Cyber Kids Technology Pledge
from Savvy Cyber Kids
"Even if your kids are older and have been immersed into screens, virtual worlds and all that technology has to offer for years, it’s not too late to have the “tech talk.” Your children are entering adulthood in a world defined by technology. As a parent, it’s imperative that you provide your children with the tools to be cyber aware. Kids also need you to help them build an arsenal of techniques to self-soothe. They need to be able to develop and sustain friendships and social interactions without the use of technology. "
Complete the Savvy Cyber Kids Technology Pledge below, a set of suggested rules for technology that will get your family thinking about cyber ethics and privacy as your children explore new technologies, create new accounts and begin a lifetime of maturation while using technology and social media.
CLICK HERE to see more!
RED ZONE: ANONYMOUS APPS – Here are the apps SmartSocial.com considers to be NOT safe for Teens and Tweens.
These are the apps Josh Ochs and his team do not recommend for Teens or Tweens. These apps usually have inappropriate and unmoderated content. Also, they lend themselves to cyberbullying. Often, these apps are anonymous and will encourage students to behave in a way we have never seen before. When students use an app in anonymous mode (without it being tied to their real identity) they tend to behave badly. They are also more prone to bullying and predators in this zone.
READ THE ENTIRE LIST HERE.
#DeviceFreeDinner
#DeviceFreeDinner sends a simple but powerful message home to students and families: Part of being a good digital citizen is knowing when to take a break from media and technology to spend time with the people we love. This collection of tools and activities gives teachers everything they need to get started with #DeviceFreeDinner and drive home digital citizenship in their school communities.
This toolkit includes our latest teacher-tested resources all in one place:
“Device-Free Dinner Day” school poster
Classroom activities for students
Take-home activities for families
Social media resources
From: October 23, 2019 By Smart Social
In 2018, teens overwhelmingly chose Snapchat as their main social media site
41% of teens use Snapchat
22% of teens use Instagram
15% of teens use Facebook
Teens are being distracted from other important things and their friends
57% of all teens agree that using social media often distracts them when they should be doing homework
54% of teen social media users agree that it often distracts them when they should be paying attention to the people they’re with, compared to 44% in 2012
29% of teen smartphone owners say they’ve been woken up by their phones during the night by a call, text, or notification
42% of teens agree that social media has taken away from time they could spend with friends in person, compared to 34% in 2012
Teen social media statistics parents need to know in 2019
Instagram continues to attract a younger audience with 72% of teens saying that they use the platform. This is an impressive increase from 2015 when 52% of teens said that they used the platform
72% of teens go on Instagram every day
Facebook usage among teens is dropping gradually according to the latest social media statistics. While 71% of teens claimed to use the platform in a 2015, the number has now dropped to 51%
96% of online American teens watch YouTube videos
60% of American Snapchat users are under 25
5 experts share social media statistics and advice for parents
1. Kids are receiving their first phone around the time they enter the stage of human development where peer engagement is critical
2. One in three children have been cyberbullied
3. Only half of parents with kids age 5-15 use parental controls
4. Fifty percent of people ages 14-24 have experienced technologically abusive behavior
5. Eight percent of Instagram accounts are fake and pose a threat to students
The Amino Chat App is Risky for Teens
October 3, 2019 By Smart Social
"The Amino App encourages young users to explore their interests and connect with people who have similar passions. However, those virtual Amino communities are uncensored and everyone using the chat app is anonymous. The anonymity raises some serious red flags and we’re going to tell you why this app poses some real dangers for your kids." Read article in entirety HERE.
Other articles to read:
18 Social Media Apps and Sites Kids Are Using Right Now
From: Commonsense Media
Social media apps that let teens do it all -- text, chat, meet people, and share their pics and videos -- often fly under parents' radars. By Christine Elgersma 6/6/2019
"It's official: Facebook isn't cool. Though some teens still use it, they prefer to use a variety of apps to connect, curate, and capture their lives in different ways. And though household names such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter have proven their staying power, teens love to try out new apps they hear about from friends, ads, or even what's trending in the app store. "
Read in entirety HERE.
Vaults & Hidden Content Containers
From:A GUIDE TO APPS, SITES & SOCIAL NETWORKS THAT YOUR CHILDREN MAY BE USING, DIGITAL FUTURES INITIATIVE | www.DFINow.org
Vaults, Ghost apps or Hidden apps are designed to disguise themselves as a common app (Calculator, music, file manager, etc) but with the correct passcode – open the secret storage area. While there are hundreds of such apps across all the mobile device platforms, below is a sampling of the different types of more popular apps that kids are using today and what some look like on a device’s screen.
There are many more types of vaults or hidden file apps. This is meant to represent the types of vault apps that are out there. Do you think your child may have a vault app already? Here are a couple of ways to see if your child has a vault app on their device.
1. Do a quick look through their device for duplicate apps (ie. Two calculator apps)
2. Goto the App Store and search for “vault”. Hundreds of apps will appear. Look next to the app – most will have a little box that says “GET”. This means you do not have it. If the box says “ +OPEN” – that means the app has been downloaded already.
3. The way to prevent in the first place is by placing parental controls on devices that require a parent password in order to download any app even if it is free
Read more HERE.
Momo: Latest Trend in Social Media
From ABC News:
"Parents are warning about the latest trend on social media and online that could direct your kid to take their own life. It’s called the Momo Challenge.
This week many parents are learning about it for the first time, despite reports of it since summer, 2018. Part of the reason why: the game instructs kids if they tell their parents about it, harm could be inflicted on them or their parents
Jessica Edwards first heard about the Momo Challenge Tuesday morning from her sister.
“She asked my niece about it and my niece just started crying and ran into my sister’s arms. And that broke me,” Jessica said." Full story HERE.
ALSO: Q&A: What is the 'Momo' suicide challenge on WhatsApp, and how is it affecting people?
Question: What is the "Momo" challenge?
Answer: "Momo" is apparently spreading on the popular WhatsApp platform. People are urged to add a contact on the app, then it is suggested they cause self-harm, or to even die by suicide, according to Fox News . A frightening image of a woman with bulging eyeballs and a large smile is used as the challenge's avatar, according to Newsweek .
Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences (2018)
(From Common Sense Media)
Key highlights:
Teens choose Instagram over any other social media platform
89% of teens own a smart phone
70% of teens say they use social media several times a day
57% of teens say social media distracts them from their homework
29% of teens with smart phones say they have been woken up during the night
42% of teens say social media distracts them from time they could spend in person
54% of teens say if parents knew what actually happens on social media they would be more worried
72% of teens believe tech companies manipulate users to spend more time on their devices
August 2018
“Back-to-School Cyber Safety"
Department of Homeland Security, United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
"As summer break ends, many students will return to school with mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets, and laptops. Although these devices can help students with their schoolwork and stay in touch with family and friends, there are risks associated with using them. However, there are simple steps that can help keep students stay safe while using their mobile devices and getting online."
Topics include:
Keeping children safe online
Rethink cyber safety and talking to teens
School kids and cell phone safety
Stop. Think. Connect toolkit
Stay safe online
Concerned parents safety toolkit
Read entire article HERE.
Plastic surgery game apps send wrong message to children, parents say
By Erin Gabriel, CNN, Updated 12:41 PM ET, Mon April 23, 2018
What can parents do?
If you choose a free app for your children, take the time to open it and try it out first, Elgersma suggests. Apps that have strange or disturbing content or lots of ads or are pushing purchases may not be the best for kids. Elgersma suggests sticking with reputable developers like PBSKids or other nonprofits.
"(Parents) can be proactive about monitoring the media their kids choose and creating shared experiences around it to try and make sure kids get the highest-quality content possible and aren't exposed to disturbing images and damaging messages," she said.
Schafer also recommends knowing what your kids are downloading and watching their browser history.
Having an open dialogue or conversation with your child about apps like a plastic surgery game is important, she said.
"Make it a teachable moment, not a preachable moment."
Read the entire article HERE.
Digital Citizenship Parenting Tips
CLICK HERE to watch this short video "Online Identity and Kids" From CommonSense Media
Why children should be taught to build a positive online presence
"While digital footprints are considered to be a liability, if managed well they can be an asset. Digital footprints can showcase identity, skills and interests. This is important in an era where employers “google” candidates to check their identity and verify their suitability. In this context, having no digital footprint can be as much of a disadvantage as having a poorly managed one."
"Make a positive footprint: we hear a lot about the negative footprints left behind online. The best way to keep your online reputation in check is to use your time online to get creative and create a positive footprint. For example why not write a blog to promote all the great things you are doing, fundraise for a charity using an online sponsorship page or create a video to teach others something new."
Read the entire article by "The Conversation" HERE.
What is Houseparty?
Houseparty launched in February 2016 and currently has 20 million users on the app who have participated in more than half a billion video calls or as Houseparty likes to call them ‘parties’. The live video chatting app allows you to have up to eight people in a video call, and you can have several ‘parties’ going on at once.
Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/09/12/what-is-the-houseparty-app-and-how-does-it-work-6921336/?ito=cbshare
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Parents need to know that Houseparty - Group Video Chat is a video-focused social media app. Friends (and friends of friends) can communicate with each other via live video and texts. Because there's no screening and the video is live, there's always the possibility of inappropriate content for children, but that will largely depend on the friends who are communicating. Parents should note that users can send links to their profiles on the app via a text message to whomever they want, and it's possible to take a screenshot -- even of private groups -- and share it. Read the app's privacy policy to find about the types of information collected and shared.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/houseparty-group-video-chat#
LinkedIn (Owned by Microsoft)
Age: 14+, By Josh Ochs
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. It is an important tool for teens who want to improve their Google results when applying to college. It is the best place to start an online image to impress colleges and future employers.
Having a LinkedIn account can help Teens to:
Learn about Universities from around the world. Find the latest college news and discover fields of interest from existing students attending that school.
Share stories, accomplishments, interests and strengths.
Establish themselves as future professionals by showing their past achievements. Starting a LinkedIn page can help Teens to learn how to create a personal brand. Having an account gets a student thinking about how their personal story can be told to colleges.
Connect with people with the same interests, find influencers, and be found by college admission officers and future employers.
LinkedIn suggestions for Teens: Build a personal brand
To create a LinkedIn account, the company encourages Teens to use their profile to build a “personal brand” and think how they want to be known by others. This is a great conversation Teens can have with their parents and teachers. Teens should ask their parents and teachers: “What am I good at and what do I want to be known for?”
A Parent’s Guide to Cybersecurity
from: ConnectSafely
Just about everyone is online these days, including the vast majority of teens and a growing number of young children. Whether by surfing the Web, watching a video, texting, using a smartphone app or playing a game, chances are you’re “connected” whenever you’re using one of your digital devices.
There are tremendous benefits to young people being online, but – for them and the rest of us – there are also some device and network security risks, both digital and social. The digital kind involves software that jeopardizes the security of devices and the data on them. The social kind, often referred to as “social engineering,” is when people are tricked into putting their privacy and security at risk.
Although there can never be a 100% guarantee of safety and security online or offline, there are things you and your kids can do that can greatly reduce the chances of something going wrong.
CLICK HERE to read article!
Facebook Offers Messaging App for Kids
Facebook now has a messaging app for kids, its first product aimed at young children, putting the social network at the heart of the debate about how and when children should start their online lives.
The app, called Messenger Kids, allows users under the age of 13 to send texts, videos and photos; they can draw on the pictures they send and add stickers. The app, which launches Monday in the United States, gives the company access to a new market whose age prohibits them from using the firm's main social network. Unlike with its full social network, the data collection will be limited, Facebook said, and children will need their parents' permission to use it.
Click HERE to read article from The Washington Post, and THIS ARTICLE from TechCrunch.
What You Need to Know Before Buying Google Home or Amazon Echo
From CommonSense Media
Many families will buy a voice-controlled assistant this year, but make sure you consider its uses, pitfalls, and privacy issues first. By Caroline Knorr 11/2/2017
Should I worry about privacy? Absolutely. The privacy and security issues related to these devices are complex, evolving, and potentially very serious (and cannot all be covered in this article). If you have an Amazon or Google account, you've already accepted some of the privacy risks of online life. With Alexa and Home, the same companies that track what you buy, what you watch, where you go online, and even your contacts are right there in your home. And they're listening. Each company offers some privacy settings in its apps (like the ability to delete your command history), and you can turn off the microphone when you don't want it to hear you (although it comes back on when you ask for it; which is weird if it wasn't supposed to be listening).
Neither company is super transparent about how it gathers, stores, and uses the information it collects, and both leave open potential future uses for all that data -- essentially getting you to opt into a future transaction that has not yet been identified. Some experts speculate that the more comfortable people get with the device, the more Google and Amazon will infringe on your privacy. For example, they could give transcripts of audio recordings to third-party app developers.
Tips for Protecting Kids & Teens from Identity Theft
From: ConnectSafely
You might think that you have to be an adult to be an identity theft victim, but that’s not the case. Children are also at risk. One reason is most kids have squeaky clean credit ratings since they have never taken out credit. Another is that identity thieves know that the crime can go undetected for years, until a child is 17 or 18 and applies for a student loan or credit card. Identity theft can not only interfere with a child’s ability to get a loan, it can hurt his or her chances for a job or internship or cause trouble with the law or at school, which is why it’s so important to take steps now to protect your child’s identity.
Read more here!
Family Tip Sheet: Common Sense on Research and Evaluation
It starts in about fourth grade. Your child comes home from school with a report to write. Off to the internet they go. But as you probably know, not everything they find on the web can be trusted. These tips will help you look beyond a site’s slick appearance to determine whether it’s offering high-quality, trustworthy content. The internet is bursting with information. Some of it’s correct, some of it’s questionable, and some of it is just plain wrong. But the internet is typically the first place young people look when they begin researching a report or are just trolling for information on their favorite topic. Though it may start in elementary school, they’ll continue using the web right through college and beyond.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXlUVKco044W_FgvrC59aXgV8hRcrT4e/view?usp=sharing
Key Characteristics of Bogusness
The author is anonymous. Practically all e-mails we see fall into this category, and anytime an author is unnamed, the public should be skeptical. If the story were true, why would the author not put his or her name on it?
The author is supposedly a famous person. Of course, e-mails that are attributed to legitimate people turn out to be false as well. Those popular messages about a Jay Leno essay and Andy Rooney’s political views are both baloney. And we found that some oft-quoted words attributed to Abraham Lincoln were not his words at all.
There’s a reference to a legitimate source that completely contradicts the information in the e-mail. Some e-mails will implore readers to check out the claims, even providing a link to a respected source. We’re not sure why some people don’t click on the link, but we implore you to do so. Go ahead, take the challenge. See if the information you find actually backs up the e-mail. We’ve examined three such emails in which the back-up material clearly debunks the e-mail itself. One message provided a link to the Tax Foundation, but anyone who followed it would have found an article saying the e-mail’s figures were all wrong. Another boasted that Snopes.com had verified the e-mail, but Snopes actually said it was false. Update, Nov. 19, 2014: Phishing attempts have become more sophisticated, so before you click on a hyperlink in the email make sure that it is in fact the correct URL and will bring you to the respected source you want.
The message is riddled with spelling errors. Ask yourself, why should you trust an author who is not only anonymous but partially illiterate?
The author just loves using exclamation points. If the author had a truthful point to make, he or she wouldn’t need to put two, three, even five exclamation points after every other sentence. In fact, we’re developing another theory here: The more exclamation points used in an e-mail, the less true it actually is. (Ditto for excessive use of capital letters.)
The message argues that it is NOT false. This tip comes from Emery, who advises skepticism for any message that says, “This is NOT a hoax!”
There’s math involved. Check it. One message that falsely claimed more soldiers died during Bill Clinton’s term than during George W. Bush’s urged, “You do the Math!” We did. It’s wrong.
More Popular = More Likely to Be Bogus
We’ve noticed that the more times something is forwarded, the more likely it is to be false.
From FactCheck.org:
What is "Reddit"?
"If Google is where to you to search for things, then Reddit is where you go to find the things people have found."
What is Reddit?
According to traffic analytics firm Alexa, Reddit is the fourth most popular site in the U.S., with more than 300 million users each month. For perspective, it’s behind only Google, YouTube and Facebook. Reddit boasts more than 138,000 communities.
There is perhaps no other site on the Internet more informative, entertaining, and confusing to use than Reddit.
It’s called “the front page of the Internet” for good reason. Nearly everything you have seen catching viral buzz online likely started on Reddit.
Users can find just about anything they want, on any topic. For most of Reddit’s users, it’s awesome. For parents, it’s both good and bad.
Reddit is extremely popular. Here's how to watch what your kids are doing
Brett Molina, USA TODAY, Published 8:00 a.m. ET Aug. 31, 2017
CLICK HERE to read entire article.
The Bystander Effect
A bystander is someone who witnesses bullying, but does nothing to stop it. According to "Eyes On Bullying," there are two types of bystanders: hurtful and helpful (http://www.eyesonbullying.org/bystander.html).
The Website and Organization "The Bystander Revolution" publishes help for those who want to stand up to bullying.
Bystander Revolution | What Can One Person Do To Help?
What can one person do to help? Thoughts from 28 of the first contributors to Bystander Revolution—a crowd-sourced collection of simple things you can do to take the power out of bullying. Whether you're feeling hesitant or ready to step in, someone has posted a video about something you can do today to make a real difference.
WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO!
Bystander video https://youtu.be/-yl3nmon59w
For more information on Bystanders, visit:
Apps Stirring Up Trouble in Schools
From teen hookups to live streaming, this year's hottest social media can lead kids to risky behavior. By Caroline Knorr 9/25/2017
From the CommonSense Education website: How certain apps become popular with kids is a bit of a mystery. The best ones mix all the stuff tweens and teens love -- gossiping, hanging out, clowning around, and meeting other kids -- with an X factor that makes them go viral. Once an app gains critical mass (like, when every kid in school is on it), that's when the real fun begins. But that's where things can go wrong, too.
Click here to read more!
What is Sarahah?
According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, Sarahah is the latest social media application to create a stir. Simply put, Sarahah is a one-way, many-to-one anonymous messaging system that allows people to send messages to a particular person without the recipient knowing who sent them. These can come from people you know (from those in your phone contacts, for example) or from practically anyone, depending on how you have distributed your unique link (more on that below).
Sarahah is a social media messaging app that's popular with teens. Find out why and what to watch out for.
https://cyberbullying.org/sarahah
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/what-is-sarahah
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-sarah
New Cyberbullying Trend Called "Roasting"
"Experts are warning parents to be aware of a recent rise in the social media trend of "roasting," which many critics consider a harmful form of cyberbullying."
Roasting can occur on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Most often, teens post a video or photo of themselves and allow friends and strangers to "roast" them.
Check out these two article for more information:
From ABC News: What parents should know about roasting, a new cyberbullying trend
http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/parents-roasting-cyberbullying-trend/story?id=49407671
From New Jersey Real Times: #Roastme: New form of cyberbullying parents should know about
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/09/roasting_a_new_form_of_cyberbullying_that_parents.html
How to Spot Fake News
From FactCheck.org
Here’s our advice on how to spot a fake:
Consider the source.
Read beyond the headline.
Check the author.
What’s the support?
Check the date.
Is this some kind of joke?
Check your biases.
Consult the experts.
You can read the entire article here:
http://www.factcheck.org/2016/11/how-to-spot-fake-news/
Other sites to fact check
Snopes.com
The Washington Post
Fact Checker
PolitiFact.com
Best News Sources for Kids
From: CommonSense Media
Kids want to know about current events, but adult news shows and sites can sometimes be scary, overwhelming, or even boring for a young audience. The websites and apps on this list offer stories of interest to kids and make serious events more digestible. If kids are seeking information about news that's potentially upsetting, it's always a good idea to discuss the issue together and get some reassurance or guidance. Breaking news also can be tough on kids, since facts can change quickly and sometimes initial reporting is wrong or offtrack. Parents can use these kid-friendly sources as a jumping-off point to discuss how news is reported and how to be a critical media consumer. Also, help kids understand how to identify legitimate news sources and avoid stuff that's too partisan or even completely fake. Encourage your kids to find out what's happening in the world!
CLICK HERE to see the sites!
Related:
Great Websites for Kids.