It’s a wonderful thing to live in a world where we have so much information at our fingertips. It also creates real problems, especially for people who don’t know how to think critically about the information they consume.
There’s more information coming at our kids than ever before. Some is accurate, some is misleading, and some is downright wrong. They, like us, are navigating this issue in more than just social media feeds. From forwarded messages and videos to school assignments and casual conversation, misinformation spans all corners of life.
As a psychologist and parent, I’ve always emphasized the importance of helping kids build mental resilience and thinking skills both on and offline. Teaching them to think critically is one of the most powerful tools parents can offer and provides a strong safety net as they enter a digital future full of social media, AI, and other challenges.
Why critical thinking is essential
At this point, I think we all recognize that social media often serves as the most visible stage for misinformation. From factual-looking and compelling videos to written content, it’s necessary to scrutinize both the creator and the message to determine what’s accurate and what’s not, separating both misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information, which often doesn’t have bad intentions behind it, while disinformation is designed to deceive and is spread intentionally to trick people or sway their opinion.
But children also encounter misleading claims in advertisements, news reports, and misinformed peers. Critical thinking, which is simply analyzing information to form a sound judgment, allows them to pause and examine information to determine what might be true, what the purpose of the information might be, and how they want to proceed. This is a challenge for all of us – especially children and teens.
Research shows that the more time kids spend on digital devices and media, the more their thinking skills are negatively impacted. A recent United Nations report identifies the serious issues of misinformation and children, and calls on governments, tech companies, and parents to address them. For parents, the report specifically emphasizes the importance of teaching and modeling critical thinking skills to address this issue and support their wellbeing.
The value of critical thinking lies not in shielding them from every falsehood (which is impossible anyway), but in empowering them to ask:
- Who is behind this message?
- What might they gain if I believe or share it?
- How can I verify whether it’s true?
This is not just about “fact-checking” but about building lifelong learning skills for evaluating information in online and offline environments. It’s a foundation of teaching kids how to think for themselves and not get caught up with what everyone else is doing. Whether it’s teaching kids how to spot fake news, helping them avoid online scams, or simply helping them feel better about the content they’re consuming, there is power in teaching them to use open-ended questioning and forming habits like “think before you share” to identify and counter the spread of misinformation.
Practical strategies for parents to help kids build critical thinking
You’re probably wondering how you can strengthen your child’s critical thinking skills to help them think for themselves. Here are some practical tips that can be used and adapted for kids of all ages:
1. Start with awareness
The first step is to make sure your kids know that not everything they see or hear (on or offline) is true. Awareness is the first step toward skepticism. They must know that just because something is written about, shared on social media, or stated by a friend does not mean it’s true.
2. Normalize questioning
When presented with information, encourage your child to ask questions like:
- “Who made this video/wrote this article?”
- “What might they want me to feel or do?”
- “Could it be missing information?”
- “Is there other information that contradicts this?”
These open-ended prompts open the door to deeper thinking. Model this for your child by talking through how you’re asking questions and thinking about things you read or hear.
3. Practice source checking together
When a post, video, or advertisement seems unbelievable, teach them to go through some verification steps. Walk them through looking at site credibility, authorship, tone, images, and other news sources.
4. Use real examples as teaching moments
A headline, a forwarded meme, or a sensationalist ad can be a conversation starter. Ask, “Why might this message go viral?” or “Is something missing here?” These everyday moments turn learning into practical habits. Dinner time together at the table can be a great place to do this.
5. Encourage perspective-taking
When children are exposed to sensational content (especially if it’s conspiratorial or fear-driven), invite them to imagine alternative viewpoints. This builds empathy and helps them consider broader contexts.
6. Model thoughtful skepticism
Let your child overhear your reactions to information:
- “That seems biased. Let’s see if reputable sources say the same thing.”
- “This feels sensational. Maybe it’s designed to get clicks.”
This modeling shows critical thinking as an everyday habit.
Raising children who think for themselves in an era of misinformation is about more than just monitoring content, although that’s important. It’s about embedding habits of curiosity, reflection, and inquiry in how they interpret information and claims. This supports them in being safe online and equips them with the kinds of independent critical thinking skills they need for productive adulthood. Teaching them to simply pause and ask: “who, why, and how do I know?” equips them to think better and to make better decisions both online and in the real world.
