Misinformation + Disinformation

Misinformation refers to false information shared without harmful intent, while disinformation is deliberately false content created to mislead or harm. Social media’s algorithms often prioritize sensational content, which can make false information spread quickly. This is particularly concerning for young people who are still developing critical thinking skills to navigate the digital world effectively.

Download One Pager (PDF)

Guidance

Teach Critical Thinking

Encourage them to question the sources of information they come across online.
Show them how to fact-check using reliable outlets like trusted news organizations or fact-checking websites.
Explain how algorithms often prioritize sensational content and discuss the risks of engaging with such posts.

Help Identify Reliable Sources

Teach them to recognize credible news platforms and understand the dangers of echo chambers.
Discuss how misinformation can come from unexpected places, such as friends, influencers, or even traditional media.
Talk about consumerism, highlighting how influencers may make misleading claims to sell products.

Create a Safe Space for Discussion

Encourage them to ask questions about information they see online without fear of judgment.
Remind them that disinformation is often designed to provoke strong emotions and encourage them to pause and investigate.
Share examples of disinformation to help them identify and handle it with confidence.

Other Considerations

Young people may struggle to recognize misinformation, especially if it comes from peers or trusted influencers.
Emotional content spreads faster on social media, making it harder to distinguish fact from fiction in emotionally charged posts.
Teach them to pause and reflect when they experience a strong emotional reaction to content, as this is often a sign of manipulative or false information.
Start encouraging critical thinking early to help them build good habits as they grow and encounter more complex online environments.
Discuss how algorithms create echo chambers by showing more of what users engage with, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.

Conversation Starters

Ask them where they usually get their news and how they decide if it’s accurate.
Ask if they’ve ever seen information online that didn’t seem right and how they reacted.
Discuss how algorithms work and why certain posts appear on their feed.
Explore what makes a source reliable or unreliable and how they can check credibility.
Ask if they’ve seen influencers promoting products with claims that might not be true, especially around fitness or health.
Talk about what they can do if a friend posts something incorrect and how to handle it thoughtfully.

View How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media