{"id":98345,"date":"2020-02-03T13:44:12","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T21:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=98345"},"modified":"2025-08-20T08:41:54","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T15:41:54","slug":"spotting-fake-news-teaching-kids-to-be-responsible-online-publishers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/spotting-fake-news-teaching-kids-to-be-responsible-online-publishers\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotting Fake News: Teaching Kids to be Responsible Online Publishers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note: This is part II in a series on Fake News. Read part I, here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kids today are not equipped to deal with the barrage of digital information coming at them every day. Add to that, the bulk of information that may be fake, misleading, or even malicious. So how do we help kids become more responsible for the content they share online?<\/p>\n

We do it one conversation at a time.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the mounting influence of fake news, it\u2019s easy to point the finger at the media, special interest groups, politicians, and anyone else with an agenda and internet access. While many of these groups may add to the problem, each one of us plays a role in stopping it.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s our role?<\/h2>\n

We, the connected consumer, now play such a significant role in how content is created and disseminated, that a large part of the solution comes down to individual responsibility \u2014 yours and mine.<\/p>\n

The shift begins with holding ourselves accountable for every piece of content we read, create, or share online. That shift gains momentum when we equip our kids to do the same.<\/p>\n

Teach personal responsibility.<\/strong> Start the conversation around personal responsibility early with your kids and keep it going. Explain that every time we share fake news, a rumor, or poorly sourced material, we become one cog in the wheel of spreading untruths and even malicious fabrications. We become part of the problem. Challenge your child to become a trustworthy, discerning source of information<\/a> as opposed to being viewed by others as an impulsive, unreliable source.<\/p>\n

Discuss the big picture. <\/strong>Fake news or misleading content isn\u2019t just annoying; it\u2019s harmful in a lot of other ways. Misinformation undermines trust, causes division, can spark social unrest, and harm unity. More than that, fake news edges out helpful, factual, content designed to educate and inform.<\/p>\n

Be aware of confirmation bias.<\/strong>\u00a0Confirmation bias is gravitating toward ideas, people, and content that echoes our spiritual, social, political, or moral points of view. Confirmation bias tempts us to disregard information that opposes our ideology. While confirmation bias is part of our human nature, left unchecked, it can be an obstacle to learning factual information.<\/p>\n

Chill, don\u2019t spill.\u00a0<\/strong>Fake news is designed to advance a personal agenda. This is especially true during times of social tension when tempers are running high. Don\u2019t take the emotional bait. Exercise discernment. Before sharing, read legitimate news sources that offer balanced coverage, so the story you share or opinion you express is based on accurate information.<\/p>\n

Be a free thinker.<\/strong>\u00a0Our kids have grown up in a world where \u2018like\u2019 and \u2018share\u2019 counts somehow equate to credibility. Encourage kids to break away from the crowd and have the courage to be free, independent thinkers.<\/p>\n

Challenge content by asking:<\/p>\n