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Week 1
Week 1
How do we know if what we see online is real or fake?
How do we know if what we see online is real or fake?
How do we know if something is purposefully trying to trick us or if it is just wrong? Maybe what we see is just someone's point of view?
How do we know if something is purposefully trying to trick us or if it is just wrong? Maybe what we see is just someone's point of view?
Taking control and empowering ourselves and our children as we navigate the Internet is not always easy. However, here are a few things that can help us when taking a look at the way we view media online and make more critical choices about what we see. Also, hopefully help us figure out how to get “the whole story” … even when the systems we use only show us what THEY think WE want to see.
Taking control and empowering ourselves and our children as we navigate the Internet is not always easy. However, here are a few things that can help us when taking a look at the way we view media online and make more critical choices about what we see. Also, hopefully help us figure out how to get “the whole story” … even when the systems we use only show us what THEY think WE want to see.
This week's tips will be expanded on for the upcoming weeks. It is a heavy topic, and we will start by taking a look at how critical thinking can save us from spreading misinformation.
Be Critical!
Be Critical!
Now, that doesn't mean that we have to criticize everything we come across. Being critical has much more to do with taking a pause and reflecting on what we come across rather than just accepting it at face value as being true, valid or real depending on the situation.
Now, that doesn't mean that we have to criticize everything we come across. Being critical has much more to do with taking a pause and reflecting on what we come across rather than just accepting it at face value as being true, valid or real depending on the situation.
This is something that gets easier and easier with practice. Keep in mind that our children are slowly building their life experiences; they still have much less than we do. For them this is harder as they may not have as many points of reference or comparison on a given topic.
This is something that gets easier and easier with practice. Keep in mind that our children are slowly building their life experiences; they still have much less than we do. For them this is harder as they may not have as many points of reference or comparison on a given topic.
Remember that, chances are, the point of view of most of what you see on social media is most likely very similar to your own point of view. This can inadvertently lead us to believe that the majority of the world thinks the same way we do. The problem is, most of the systems we use to find and view information on the internet are designed to bring us media / content that it thinks we want to see; not what is the whole story.
Remember that, chances are, the point of view of most of what you see on social media is most likely very similar to your own point of view. This can inadvertently lead us to believe that the majority of the world thinks the same way we do. The problem is, most of the systems we use to find and view information on the internet are designed to bring us media / content that it thinks we want to see; not what is the whole story.
That being said, none of us is immune to spreading information that is not totally accurate.
That being said, none of us is immune to spreading information that is not totally accurate.
This site's challenge will give you an idea of how you're doing when it comes to misinformation.
We can all be victims of our filter bubbles, nothing wrong here. Here are a few ways to try to minimize its effects.
tipsheet_authentication101.pdfHow can we help our children be more critical, without criticizing?
How can we help our children be more critical, without criticizing?
Exploring different sides to a story
Exploring different sides to a story
As you know, one given situation can be experienced quite differently from one person to another. Kids can have a harder time putting themselves in someone else's shoes. Even though we do our best to help them grow into kind human beings, the path there is not always a straight forward one. Having a debate where you pick different sides on a hot topic could be one way to practice this. Being able to see life through someone else's eyes is necessary for many things in life.
Discuss "Fact" or "Opinion"
Discuss "Fact" or "Opinion"
You may want to play a game of facts and opinions with your children and adjust the questions to their age. Usually, both facts and opinions will come up in the news, but opinions are usually clearly identified as such, which is not always the case on social media.
How old are you?
How tall are you?
Are cats better than dogs?
What is the best food in the world?
Do rocks sink or float?
Do you like dogs?
Is it better to travel by train or by plane?
Discuss "Should this be shared?" with children using social media
Discuss "Should this be shared?" with children using social media
Discuss the content that you or they share with friends online.
What type of things do you like to share?
Do you check if something is true before you re-post/share?
Have you shared something that you later realized was false?
Have you shared something that you later regretted sharing?
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