{"id":93439,"date":"2025-09-18T12:58:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/?p=93439"},"modified":"2025-09-18T12:58:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T12:58:40","slug":"teach-kids-critical-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/en\/blog\/teach-kids-critical-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenging misinformation: How to teach your child to think for themselves"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”14px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019t know how to think critically about the information they consume.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a psychologist and parent, I\u2019ve always emphasized the importance of helping kids build mental resilience and thinking skills both on and offline. <\/span>Teaching them to think critically is one of the most powerful tools parents can offer<\/b> and provides a strong safety net as they enter a digital future full of social media, AI, and other challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Why critical thinking is essential<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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, <\/span>it\u2019s necessary to scrutinize both the creator and the message to determine what\u2019s accurate and what\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research shows that the more time kids spend on digital devices and media, <\/span>the more their thinking skills are negatively impacted<\/span><\/a>. A recent United Nations report identifies <\/span>the serious issues of misinformation and children<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The value of critical thinking lies not in shielding them from every falsehood (which is impossible anyway), but in empowering them to ask:<\/span><\/p>\n