By Patti Garibay for CHRISTIAN DAILY INTERNATIONAL
We live in the age of “WarTok.” Today, common citizens are seeing war waged in real-time through first-hand, live footage on social media. To say that today’s landscape of global conflict and war is scary puts it mildly. For young ones witnessing violent unrest and gruesome accounts across the Middle East, it’s terrifying. Our kids can become paralyzed by their fear of conflict, and as parents, we can become paralyzed in our own fear of guiding them toward peace.
Children, especially today’s teens, are seeking information as engaged global citizens. What a gift to raise little people who care so deeply for the world! But without parental guidance, “research” and “concern” can quickly devolve into accepting half-truths and forming emotionally charged, factless opinions. And according to a recent report, 84% of teens have a dismal view of the news media, leaving those who are seeking insight into current events highly impressionable to manipulation and influence. To combat false information, teach your child the skills of critical thinking and media literacy.
The Center for Media Literacy defines media literacy as “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms.” Today’s kids are taking in media of various forms more than ever before, but do they understand the messages they’re taking in?
