Break the Fake: Correcting disinformation

Here are three ways to respond to false info online:

1. Ask a question

If the false info is coming from a friend or a family member, or you’re worried that your reply might help spread the false info, you can just ask a question like “Are you sure that’s true?” or “Is that source reliable?”.  

That nudges them to think more about whether what they’re sharing is true, and shows other people that you don’t agree with the bad info.

Research has found this works almost as well as correcting or debunking false information!

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Break the Fake: Critical thinking vs. disinformation

Ask yourself three questions:

1. What do I already think or believe about this?

We pay attention to things that fit with what we already think is true. That’s not always a bad thing: science, medicine and other subjects all have a consensus: what experts believe is most likely true, based on all the evidence that’s been found so far.

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Break the Fake: Spotting hate propaganda

What do we mean by propaganda?

  • Propaganda tries to get you to believe in an idea or to feel a certain way.
  • Propaganda convinces you by provoking your emotions instead of making a logical argument.

Not all propaganda is bad! It can inspire positive emotions like love, pride and empathy. It can persuade us to do things like putting on seatbelts or brushing our teeth.

Hate propaganda is different: it tries to make us fear and distrust another group of people.

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Buying a smartphone for teens

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 02 Sep 2022.

It’s time to buy a smartphone for my youngest (who is only a few months away from being 14 years old). While we know there are considerations and conversations needed around the use of phones, safety, apps, privacy and other responsibilities when owning a phone, we also know the time is right.

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Cell Phones and Texting, Internet & Mobile, Parents, Privacy

What do teens really think about screen time?

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 29 Jul 2022.

Screen time is a common topic for parents to try and manage today. Are we allowing too much? How do we make it safe? We will ask our friends and fellow parents for their thoughts or advice or learn tips from resources (like MediaSmarts!) to help us navigate this new aspect of parenting. When I was my kids’ age, we were just loading Netscape 2.0 onto our computers, and we’d check our ICQ messages before putting in a VHS to watch a movie or playing some Super Mario RPG.  The online world is so different now.

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Digital Health, Internet & Mobile, Movies, Parents, Social Networking, Television

My Voice is Louder Than Hate

Submitted by MediaSmarts on 18 May 2022.

My Voice is Louder Than Hate, MediaSmarts’ latest resource, uses digital storytelling and meme making tools to encourage youth to push back when they encounter hate online.

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Internet & Mobile, Online Hate, Resources

Will social media affect teens’ job prospects?

Submitted by Rebecca Stanisic on 10 May 2022.

I have teens, but up until recently they didn’t have social media accounts (although, I suppose Discord may count as one). 

They hadn’t had much interest in the past, other than a few requests for Snapchat and Instagram that came and went almost as quickly as they were mentioned. But recently, my eldest asked again about Instagram and through conversations together it seemed like the logical time to get one.  

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Internet & Mobile, Parents, Privacy, Social Networking

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