Internet Matters’ expert, Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, discusses the importance of teaching critical thinking to children along with some methods to use.
Thinking critically about the information and content we come across online is a key life skill in today’s digital day and age. It’s important children understand that online content (text, images, videos, audio) can be manipulated, misinterpreted, or misrepresented.
One of the best ways to keep your child safe online is to stay in the loop, checking-in for regular chats. Using play, parents and carers can engage children in supportive, and even fun, conversations to encourage them to question what they encounter online.
Ask them to think about who created the content and why? Can the information be found independently elsewhere such as on credible news sites? Will they ask you or another trusted grown-up for help if they’re unsure something they’ve encountered online is true?
At the LEGO Group, we’re serious about play and so we’ve developed free and playful resources for parents and children to get connected on digital life: