Eps 509: How to discuss fake news with teens with Alex Edmans

My guest today is Alex Edmans, and we’re hitting a super important topic this week: how to discuss fake news and social media with our teens.   

Alex starts by explaining the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 of Fake News, and I ask what to do (and why) our teens bring up conspiracy theories. I ask Alex how we can nurture adolescents to fine tune their questioning, look for expertise, and teach them to look for peoples’ incentives while they’re consuming social media without making them feel defensive.  

Later we talk about sextortion. How can we keep our teens from falling for scams, when their teenage brains are certain they’d never fall for one? Alex ends on a happy, hopeful note and shares an easy strategy to challenge your own confirmation biases.   

Takeaways from the show

• Level 1 fake news (provably false statements) versus Level 2 fake news (factually correct but misleading)
• What to say when our teens bring up conspiracy theories
• Why do people share fake news? 
• Teaching teens to be discerning & leverage their own knowledge 
• Asking yourself: What is the incentive this person has to post this? Are they an expert?  
• Sextortion - anyone can be scammed online 
• Teens absolutely must believe they can come to you in an “oh shit” moment 
• How discerning are you on your social media?

For more show notes, including transcripts, visit our website here.

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