The digital world is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from fake. Artificial intelligence can create realistic images, texts and videos within seconds. At the same time, large social media groups discuss to abolish facts. In order not to believe everything we see or read, we have to learn to recognize fake news independently – and we should also convey this ability to our children.
Florian Buschmann, founder of the “offline hero”, is committed to the prevention of media addiction. Once affected himself, he knows about the dangers. Every year he and his team conduct over 300 events with more than 10,000 participants in schools. The “offline heroes” are committed to media literacy, media addiction prevention and the correct way of dealing with AI. You know: the future begins with our children.
Question the source: Who is behind the message?
Every information has a source, but not everyone is trustworthy. Ask yourself and your child: who wrote the post and what interests could be behind it? Is it about clicks, attention or financial profit? You should enjoy websites with sensational names such as “Sensation news” or “OMG portal” with caution. Find the author together and check whether there is not only hot air behind a lurid title.
Expand perspectives: take several perspectives
Our brain tends to believe the first version of a news unchecked. But to get closer to the truth, it is important to compare different sources. Read more articles, look at different media and visit other platforms. Social media often only show us content that matches our previous search and click behavior- we move in a filter bubble. Order your child that there are different representations and that the questioning of information is crucial.
Avoid emotional traps: Caution in strong feelings
Contributions that with mass exclusion signs or words such as “sensational!”, “Incredible!” or “shocking!” Working mostly want to strike our emotions. However, strong feelings can cloud our rational mind. Take the test with your child: Consider such headings together and discuss which emotions should be awakened. This is how you raise awareness of how language can manipulate.
Check facts closely-even without online aid
It is comfortable to rely on the truth judgment of large corporations. But since fact checking hardly takes place there, you should use external services or research yourself. Some websites check messages and provide information about false reports. If your child shares a story carelessly, check the truth content together. This shows how important critical thinking is.
Expose counterfeits with technology
Deeppakes and manipulated videos spread quickly. But with the right tools they can be exposed. Use backward image searches like Google Reverse Search or Tineye to find out whether a photo has already been used in a different context. So your child learns that technology not only offers danger, but also useful tools to uncover falsehoods.
Together they become a factual checker
The exchange via online content is essential. For example, start small “family fact checks”, in which everyone brings a surprising headline and you together check their truth content. This common activity not only promotes media literacy, but also strengthens cohesion.
We convey more media literacy in our free parents' consultation. She helps parents with mental health and media addiction. “We often have parents who speak of media addicted children. Together we find solutions on how parents find access to their children again. Become part of our community to protect children sustainably. “
