How to Help Your Kids Tell Real News from Fake — Step-by-Step Guide for Everyday Conversations

Note: Featured image generated using AI

A teenager is scrolling through Instagram and stumbles upon a dramatic video claiming a new virus is spreading rapidly in the city. The caption warns people to “stay inside before it’s too late!” The footage shows crowded hospitals, people in hazmat suits, and hundreds of comments expressing panic. 

It looks real, so they immediately share it with friends, cancel weekend plans, and start to worry. But a day later, it turns out the footage was old, taken in another country years ago. The account had a history of spreading hoaxes. Now, the teen feels confused and unsure about what to trust.

In today’s world, misinformation can go viral quickly, and children and teens are especially vulnerable. Helping them learn to think critically, ask the right questions, and trust their instincts can protect what they believe and how they feel. Here’s how you can support them in learning to tell real news from fake.

1. Name their feelings before explaining the facts

What you're addressing:
When children encounter distressing or confusing news, especially online, they often internalise those emotions without knowing how to process them. This unspoken fear or worry can manifest as anxiety, sleep issues, or even a distrust of information in general. Addressing their emotional response is crucial before helping them evaluate whether the news is real or fake.

How to address it:
Start by gently naming the feeling and giving them space to talk about it. This creates a safe environment for open conversation and helps them feel supported, rather than judged or dismissed.

Example question or phrase:
“It sounds like that story made you feel nervous. That’s totally okay. Do you want to tell me what part upset you?”

What the child learns:
They learn that emotions are valid, and it’s safe to talk about what they’re feeling. This emotional safety becomes the foundation for asking questions, thinking critically, and understanding that not all information they come across is trustworthy.

2. Ask where they heard it

What you're addressing:
Children, especially tweens and teens, often absorb information from peers, influencers, or social media without questioning its accuracy. They may repeat or believe what they hear simply because it’s popular or confidently stated, without knowing how to trace its source.

How to address it:
Instead of jumping in to correct misinformation, ask them where they first heard or saw it. This opens the door to talk about how information spreads and whether it comes from a credible source.

Example question or phrase:
“That’s interesting — where did you hear about that?”

What the child learns:
They begin to see that the source of information matters. This encourages them to get curious instead of taking things at face value, a key step in learning to evaluate credibility.

3. Teach them to pause before reacting

What you're addressing:
Clickbait and sensational headlines are designed to provoke instant emotional responses. Children and teens, in particular, may quickly believe or share content that triggers anger, fear, or excitement, making them easy targets for misinformation.

How to address it:
Teach them to recognise when they have a strong emotional reaction and pause before reacting or sharing. This pause gives them time to consider whether the content is trustworthy or manipulative.

Example question or phrase:
“That headline sounds dramatic — do you think it’s trying to get a strong reaction from you? What part made you feel that way?”

What the child learns:
They learn to recognise their emotional responses and not let those emotions drive their decisions. This builds a habit of thoughtful engagement with media instead of impulsive reactions, which is critical for spotting manipulative content.

4. Look for red flags in the post

What you're addressing:
Children may not be aware of the visual and language-based cues that often signal fake or misleading content, such as overly emotional language, a lack of author details, or sensational claims. Without this knowledge, they can fall for unreliable sources.

How to address it:
Show them how to spot red flags: exaggerated language, anonymous sources, articles without links to original research, or headlines that sound too wild to be true. Make it a game to “detect” suspicious signs.

Example question or phrase:
“This sounds a bit extreme — do you notice anything odd about how it's written or who it's quoting?”

What the child learns:
They begin to build a toolkit for evaluating content critically. By spotting patterns in how fake news is presented, they’re less likely to be misled in the future and more likely to trust evidence-based content.

5. Help them check the source

What you're addressing:
In the age of memes, screenshots, and viral posts, kids often don’t know whether the content they see comes from a credible source or is even real. They may assume that anything well-designed or widely shared is trustworthy.

How to address it:
Guide them through the process of checking a source’s credibility. Ask questions like, Is this a well-known news outlet? Are experts being quoted? Is there a date or link to the full story?

Example question or phrase:
“Let’s check who wrote this and if other reliable news sites are saying the same thing.”

What the child learns:
They begin to understand the importance of transparency and evidence. This helps them distinguish between professional journalism and random internet posts and equips them with lifelong skills to assess credibility.

6. Teach them to verify photos and videos

What you're addressing:
Images and videos can be powerful, and kids are more likely to trust something they see without realising how easily they can manipulate visuals with editing tools or context changes.

How to address it:
Show them simple tricks like doing a reverse image search, looking for odd shadows, repeated patterns, or inconsistent photo lighting. Help them question whether the image or video truly supports the story.

Example question or phrase:
“This picture looks strange — let’s check if it’s been used in other stories or if someone edited it.”

What the child learns:
They gain visual literacy — the ability to assess images critically instead of taking them at face value. This is especially important in an era when misleading visuals often accompany fake news.

7. Model and encourage fact-checking

What you're addressing:
Young people often don’t realise it’s possible — or necessary — to verify information. They may not know where to start or which websites are trustworthy.

How to address it:
Normalise fact-checking by doing it together. Use well-known fact-checking websites or search for multiple sources on a story. Frame it as a fun detective activity.

Example question or phrase:
“Let’s look this up on several trusted news sites and see what they’re saying.”

What the child learns:
They see fact-checking as a smart, doable habit, not something only adults or journalists do. Over time, this builds their confidence in researching independently and thinking for themselves.

8. Encourage a 'Pause Before You Share' habit

What you're addressing:
Social media encourages quick sharing and validation. Kids may repost shocking content without knowing it’s false, leading to misinformation and harm.

How to address it:
Encourage them to slow down and ask questions before hitting share. Help them understand that spreading misinformation, even accidentally, has consequences.

Example question or phrase:
“Before we share this, how can we be sure it’s true? Let’s double-check the source together.”

What the child learns:
They learn that responsible sharing matters. This helps them become more thoughtful digital citizens who contribute to a healthier, more informed online space.

Responses to difficult questions kids may ask

These are some tough but common questions children ask, especially during conflict. Here are thoughtful, calm responses that balance honesty with reassurance.

1. “Is there going to be a war?”
“That’s a fundamental question. Right now, strong people in both countries are working hard to avoid that. Just like in arguments, it might look scary, but grown-ups are trying to solve it peacefully.”

2. “Will we be safe?”
“Yes, we are safe right now. It’s okay to feel a little scared, but remember, the government and armed forces have plans to protect everyone. And I’m always here to keep you safe, too.”

3. “Why are people fighting?”
“Sometimes, people — or even countries — have big disagreements about what’s fair. It’s complicated, but the goal is always to find a peaceful solution.”

4. “Why do they hate us?”
“That’s what it might seem like from the news, but it’s not about hate between people like us — it’s about governments and politics. Like us, most people in every country just want peace and a normal life.”

5. “Should I be worried?”
“It’s okay to feel worried, and I’m here to talk about it anytime. But we don’t have to stay in worry — we can also look for facts, take breaks from scary news, and focus on things we enjoy.”

Edited by Khushi Arora

Sources

Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University

How to talk to your kids about the attacks in Paris: by TIME, Published on 16 November 2015.

Multimodal Chain-of-Verification for Combatting Misinformation: by Cornell University, Published on 14 December 2023.

How to teach your kids digital media literacy: by WIRED, Published on 27 January 2020.

What are kids really watching on their tablets?: by Parents, Published on 4 March 2025.

Online Safety: Teaching Kids To Spot Fake News: by CMR Gandhi Public School, Published on 28 February 2025.