Today's children and teenagers have unlimited access to information. Between social networks, YouTube videos and search engines, they can be informed at any time... but also fall into the traps of misinformation. Fake news, conspiracy theories, biased content: how can we help them sort it all out? Develop their critical thinking has become a major educational challenge.

In this article, we explain why information education is crucial, and what the real real risks for young peopleand, above all how to support them in concrete ways to help them become enlightened citizens.

Why should children learn to decipher information from an early age?

Massive, unfiltered access to information

Today's children don't wait until they're adults to access information. From middle school onwards, most of them consult content via :

• YouTube and TikTok are often the first sources of information.
• Google used indiscriminately to search for answers.
• Snapchat, Instagram where excerpts, memes and racy headlines circulate.

But this flow of information is often unverified, biased or sensationalist. Children can therefore :

• Confusing facts with opinions.
• Mistaking false information false for true if it's well presented.
• Share unintentionally misleading content.
• Locking yourself in algorithmic bubbles.

Young people vulnerable to fake news

Neuroscience shows that children's and teenagers' brains are still under constructionparticularly in the area linked to critical judgment and perspective-taking. As a result, they are more sensitive to information that :

• Emotions fear, anger, compassion.
• Repetition : information seen several times is perceived as more reliable.
• The group effect If "everyone shares", it must be true.

Developing critical thinkingmeans giving them the tools tools to analyzebut also protect themselves against manipulation.

How can you help your child develop critical thinking skills?

1. Help them understand how information works

Before talking about fake news, we need to explain how information reaches him :

• Who wrote it? A journalist? An influencer? An individual?

• Why was it published? To inform? To sell? To shock?

• What is the format ? Article, video, post, meme?

Ask him these simple questions :

• "Where did this information come from?"

• "Why is it shared?"

• "Is it verified?"

You can also show him the difference between several sources on the same subject (e.g. what a media outlet, a social network, a blog, etc. says).

2. Teach him to spot fake news

Here are a few warning signs :

• Overly sensational titles "You'll never guess what..."
• Spelling mistakes Spelling mistakes: often a sign of sloppiness.
• Lack of sources Who said that? Why or why not?
• Massively shared content without verification.

Introduce him to verification tools tools:

• Google Images to check the origin of an image.

• Decodex (Le Monde) or Hoaxbuster to identify known hoaxes.

3. Discuss your beliefs and representations

Children have have the right to believe what they wantbut it's essential to help them question their beliefs.

Ask open-ended questions:

• "Why do you think that's true?"

• "Have you seen any other opinions? What do your friends think?"

The aim is not to impose a vision on him, but to teach him to to doubt in a healthy waywithout falling into generalized mistrust.

4. Help them use social networks

Banning networks? Difficult. Better to support, guidance and dialogue.

• Establish a regular dialogue about what he sees.

• Take an interest in her favorite content, without judgment.

• Show him how algorithms direct what he sees.

Here's a concrete example: run a test with a new TikTok account to see how quickly the algorithm see how quickly the algorithm proposes targeted content. On Instagram, you can choose to reset the algorithm and select what you no longer want to see.

Tools and resources to take you further

Initiatives for families and schools

Fun programs toteach critical thinking in a practical way:

• CLEMI (Centre de liaison de l'éducation aux médias) offers tools for students.

• "1jour1actu videos to explain news to children.

• Serious games games where children have to sort out what's true from what's false.

The key role of parents and teachers

Children needtrusted adults to guide them. This means :

• Non-judgmental discussions.

• Encouraging questions.

• An example to follow You too can take a step back from the news.

Conclusion: educating critical thinkers is a matter of urgency

Today's children will be tomorrow's adults of tomorrow. In a world saturated with information, giving them the means to verify, analyze and think for themselves is essential to preserve their freedom and autonomy.

You don't have to be a news expert to talk about it. The important thing is toopen a dialogue, take an interest in what they're watching, and support them in their discovery of the world..

To find out more about diversity education and discover practical ideas,
listen to the full podcast episode Generation Parents.