LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Describe the importance of factchecking online info before sharing 

HEALTH ED STANDARD

NHES 2: Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on digital literacy

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

KEY VOCAB

impulsively, persuasive, syndrome, evaluating

Lesson Plan: How To Fact-Check The Internet

No matter how digitally savvy you are, the web is full of false info. This guide will help students separate fact from fiction online. 

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How can I tell if the information I’m getting online is real or fake?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. What is celebrity non-expert syndrome? Celebrity non-expert syndrome is when stars provide advice they are not qualified to give and the public believes them.
  2. What are some of the ways the article says you can tell if a tweet is coming from a reliable source? List at least three. Possible answers: Check for grammar and spelling errors, check to make sure it’s not a screenshot, and look for more info about the subject of the tweet. 
  3. How can you tell if a post is an ad? Check for the words “sponsored content,” “#ad,” “paid partnership,” or “presented by.”

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 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. How might your personal biases influence the news you read? Give specific examples. Answers will vary. 
  2. Why do you think people get tricked into sharing bogus posts, and how might that be dangerous? Possible answer: Bogus posts often trigger an immediate emotional response. It’s dangerous because this is how false information gets spread quickly. 
  3. When have you fallen for a headline that wasn’t real or had someone share one with you? Describe the situation. Answers will vary.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

WATCH & DISCUSS

NHES 8

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

John Green, the famous YA author, hosts a YouTube series on NAVIGATING DIGITAL INFO to help teens avoid biased sources and viral hoaxes. After watching some of his videos as a class, have students use the discussion guide to reflect on his tips.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

NHES 2

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

The article highlights five ways to identify false info. Divide students into small groups and put our tips to the test. Have each group share examples of the ONLINE FAKERY they uncover.

Text-to-Speech