Misinformation is Everywhere
Helping our children (and ourselves) to spot it
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In light of all the chaos in the world, it is more important than ever that we figure out how to stay informed in a way that supports our own nervous system, AND allows us to support our adolescents as they start to formulate their own opinions and navigate news sources. We have to let our young people know that when we read and watch the news, it's important to be critical thinkers, especially in this seemingly post-truth era. Right now, for all of us, it's hard to distinguish between what is actual information and what is framed to mess with you emotionally and intellectually.
This week on raising good humans podcast, I recruited award winning journalist, Jessica Yellin. I highly recommend Jessica’s substack for exactly what the name suggests, News Not Noise.
Before we dive into tips on how to distinguish misinformation and promote critical thinking, I want to remind you that we are really talking about having these conversations with our adolescents. I really discourage people from even going through much news with elementary school students. Instead, you may want to pick a couple of articles, pull out some maps, and have conversations away from most of the news. For our youngest kids, nothing is scarier for them than seeing us being overwhelmed and not knowing why, but after we have explained it with some information, we can put it away until they have further questions.
Another thing I want to mention is that when we consume the news, we too want to focus on growing compassion and understanding. These qualities require empathy, though they are not the same as empathy. Feeling empathy lights up your pain centers which typically means that at a certain point your body is going to have to shut down simply as a protective mechanism. If we are trying to raise informed citizens, who can do right and good in the world, we can’t have our pain centers so activated that we burn out. We want to be able to take action and be helpful. When we have too much empathy, well meaning as it is, it can take us out of our intentions. Instead, focusing on cultivating compassion means that you have stepped back outside of that empathy, and you're able to say, “I can help because I understand that there is suffering but I am not suffering.” And that helping lights up the reward center of the brain, which promotes the helping response.
How do you know if you can trust a source? As Jessica discusses, this is a process of trial and error. Here are a few steps she recommends:
Acknowledge that everyone has perspective. We all know that we see the world through our temperament and experience. This isn’t a bad thing, it is just something to be aware of. Think, “Who is this author, what is their perspective, and how may this impact why they are saying this?” This is the critical context that we need to make a good decision.
Consider bias. As we discuss, bias isn’t always a problem, as long as we recognize it and can account for it in our minds. If you know there is bias from a particular source, take a moment to filter the information out from the bias, and dig further into that information from a more neutral source.
Pattern test and repeat. When you explore a new source, take the first piece of information they provide with a large dose of salt. If it turns out to be proven/true, then return for a second time and proceed with more minimal caution. If that second piece of information also proves to be valid, return again for a third time and consider this source reliable.
Be aware of pace. In a new world where news is traveling so fast, so piecemeal, and without the time to vet or validate it, consider leaning into sources that are slower - like print media, or regular newsletters. Social media has no context, is often anonymous (making it impossible to understand perspective or bias), and happens so quickly that it doesn’t allow us time to fact-check or process.
Look out for propaganda. If your media consumption is followed by a huge and emotional reaction (becoming enraged, traumatized, horrified), consider whether or not you are seeing something that is being designed to elicit that response - i.e. propaganda. As Jessica says, “[Propaganda] tries to get into your emotional core and bypass your brain. When you feel like you're responding from absolute emotion, before your brain kicks in, that's when I pause and say, ‘Huh, I wonder if this is propaganda?’” She also recommends that you ask yourself these two questions, “Is this the whole story and is this the right story?”
What steps should you and your teen take before you re-share?
Read the caption. Even a clear image or statement can be misinterpreted without reading the caption, where much of the perspective or bias exists.
Go back and see the original source. Something sent to you by a friend or account you trust does not mean it originated with them. Check out the original source that is being credited to be sure it is an account you trust (and see below…)
Look at the other content that an account has posted. Looking at some of the other posts on an account can help you to understand whether this account represents fair and balanced reporting, or has any particular bias.
Check the information you want to re-share against news sources you trust. Jessica recommends you go to trusted sources or mainstream media that has higher fact checking standards, or google it to see if it is being reported elsewhere. This requires a pause that can help you make a decision from your prefrontal cortex, and not just a knee-jerk reaction.
What are healthy steps moving forward?
Put yourself on a news diet. Pick out 3-5 sources of news that you trust (see above for how you know) and set aside a fixed time each day to review them. Instead of traveling down a rabbit hole, stick to the goals you’ve set about when, where, and how you check the news.
Take a minute to reset after consuming news. I love Jessica’s suggestion to, “Put the phone down, close your eyes for a minute and say, ‘That's the news, this is me.’” It is so important that we create this space to calm our nervous system and allow ourselves to step out of our highly emotional reaction, and into compassion and action.
Decide what you consume, rather than consuming what you’re fed. This is some of the best advice I think we come to in the episode. Remind yourself and your teens that information you seek - from sources you know - is going to be of the highest quality, and digested in the best possible way. Information sent to you, served to you with ulterior motives or as part of an agenda, is less likely to be of high quality or to be helpful.
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