Media Literacy

In an age of algorithmic content, it is more important than ever to teach our children to be critical consumers of information. This means going beyond simply teaching them to identify “fake news” and helping them to understand the underlying systems that shape the information they see. We can start by having open and honest conversations with our children about how algorithms work and how they can be used to manipulate our emotions and behavior. We can also teach them to ask critical questions about the content they encounter, such as: Who created this content? What is their purpose? What information might be missing? By equipping our children with these critical thinking skills, we can empower them to navigate the digital world with confidence and to make their own informed decisions about what to believe and how to act. ...

Every parent knows the scenario: you just need a moment. A moment to make dinner, to answer an email, to simply breathe. In that moment, the screen becomes a tempting babysitter. But as the minutes stretch on, a familiar guilt creeps in. Is this endless stream of videos actually good for them? Is there a difference between one cartoon and another? The short answer is a resounding yes. The quality of screen time is not just a minor detail; it’s the most critical factor in determining whether a child’s digital experience is harmful or beneficial. This article explores the qualitative differences in video content and offers a framework for making smarter choices for your children. ...