How Misinformation and Fake News Contribute to Bullying

We often think of bullying as name-calling or physical harm. But today, bullying also spreads online—and misinformation and fake news play a big role.

Misinformation vs Fake News

• Misinformation is false information shared by accident. Kids may share a rumor without knowing it’s untrue.

• Fake news is false information spread on purpose. It’s designed to mislead, embarrass, or control others.

Both can fuel bullying behaviors. A simple rumor, if not checked, can turn into targeted teasing. A fake story about a student might be used to shame or isolate them.

Why This Matters for Kids

Kids are constantly exposed to online content. When they don’t pause to question what they see, they may:

• Believe lies about classmates

• Share harmful rumors without realizing it

• Join in bullying fueled by false information

How Parents Can Step In

1. Start the conversation: Ask your kids if they’ve ever seen a rumor

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In today’s world, kids have more information at their fingertips than we ever did. A quick search can answer nearly any question (well, except “why do you still have to make your bed if you’re just going to mess it up again?”). But with endless information comes an endless need for critical thinking—and not just the kind that gets them out of a chore! We’re talking about spotting facts, asking the right questions, and avoiding the “sharing-is-caring” approach regarding misinformation.

Why Critical Thinking Matters (Especially Now)

With social media, endless streaming, and chat groups, kids are bombarded with messages from every direction—messages that sometimes claim to be facts but have the credibility of, well, that kid who said he could actually fly off the swing set. Critical thinking is the ultimate superpower, one that’ll help our kids grow into adults who think things through instead of just going with the flow.

Teaching kids to evaluate information helps them in so many ways...

Being a good digital citizen means that an online user has the knowledge and skills necessary to use digital tech for communication, participation in society, and the creation and consumption of digital content.

Before we allow children to use the internet, it is our responsibility to educate them to be savvy online users so that they don’t become part of the problem. We see a lot of cyberbullying, invasion of privacy, and a lot of oversharing of private information online that puts children and others in danger.

Here is a list of examples highlighting the traits and behaviors of a good digital citizen:

1. Respecting Others: Treat others online with kindness, empathy, and respect, just as you would in face-to-face interactions.
2. Practicing Responsible Posting: Be mindful of the content you share online, considering the potential impact on others and the reputation of yourself and others involved.
3. Protecting Privacy: Respecting the privacy of others by not sharing personal informatio...