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Home / Kids' Safety / Safety Guide / Risks Online / If I Read it Online, is it True?

If I Read it Online, is it True?

Knowing how to search the Internet is one thing, however being able to understand what you find is something else.

It's easy to become overwhelmed with all the information on the Internet. Children need to learn the finer points of Internet searching and need to learn critical thinking skills so that they can analyze and make effective use of the material they do find. Parents need to provide guidance to their children to help them make sense of the material they uncover and distinguish between fact, opinion, rumors, and lies.

Ways to avoid being overwhelmed or getting "bad" information

  • Learn how to use search engines and how to limit results of searches. You may wish to make use of some of the great kids' sites listed here on GetNetWise, or some of the safe search engines.
  • Understand the difference between reliable and unreliable sources. Get to know the reliable sources on the Internet.
  • Have kids cite all of their sources so that teachers and parents can help distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.
 
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