How To Spot Misinformation On Social Media

A 2025 parent’s guide

Damjan

• Published in Technology
• April 19, 2025

Let’s face it: social media is where everything happens these days. News breaks there, trends blow up overnight, and group chats are buzzing 24/7. But if you’ve ever found yourself thinking, Wait, is that real? — you’re not alone. In 2025, trying to tell the truth from total nonsense online is practically a full-time job.

And if you’re a parent? Buckle up. Not only are you trying to keep up with your own feeds, but you’re also helping your kids navigate a digital world that’s constantly shifting—and sometimes just straight-up weird.

This guide is here to help you spot misinformation (aka the lies, exaggerations, and deepfaked drama clogging up your scroll), teach your kids how to think critically, and build some good ol' digital resilience along the way.

Why Misinformation Hits Harder Than Ever in 2025

Here’s the thing: more people are getting their news from social media than ever before. Adults, teens, even that overly confident 9-year-old who somehow knows how to bypass screen time limits. But with platforms like Meta easing up on fact-checking and AI creating fake content that looks eerily real, it’s becoming harder and harder to tell what’s legit.

The algorithms don’t care what’s true—they care what keeps you clicking. And those eye-popping, emotion-spiking posts? They spread faster than you can say “share.” This isn’t just a tech problem—it’s a real-world one. Misinformation can spark fear, spread hate, and mess with how people think, feel, and act.

And for kids? It’s a minefield.

Quick Refresher: What Is Misinformation, Anyway?

Let’s break it down real quick:

• Misinformation = Wrong or misleading info that’s not always shared on purpose.
• Disinformation = The kind that’s shared on purpose to trick, mislead, or manipulate.

Both can go viral in seconds, especially if they hit an emotional nerve. And let’s be honest—social media is one big bundle of nerves.

Why Kids and Teens Are Especially at Risk

Kids and teens aren’t just scrolling - they’re growing. Their brains are still building the tools to spot sketchy stuff online, and social media isn’t exactly making that easier. Here’s why they’re vulnerable:

• Algorithms trap them in echo chambers: Once they watch or like something, they get fed more of it. Over and over. And over.
• Peer pressure is real: Kids want to fit in. Sometimes they share stuff without even reading it, just to stay in the loop.
• Feelings over facts: Posts that trigger strong reactions—anger, fear, FOMO—get shared more, even if they’re totally false.
• Deepfakes are everywhere: AI can make fake videos and images look disturbingly real. The days of spotting a Photoshop fail are long gone.

So, How Do You Actually Spot Misinformation? (Without Turning Into a Cynic)

Here are some practical tips you can use—and teach your kids—to sift through the chaos.

1. Pause Before You React

If something online makes you feel super angry or weirdly excited, stop for a sec. That emotional gut-punch? It might be by design. Take a breath and ask: Is this actually true, or just clickbait with fancy graphics?

2. Check Where It’s Coming From

Is it from a legit news outlet? Or does it sound like “DailyPatriotFacts.biz”? Look for sources you recognize, and avoid anything that hides behind vague usernames or no profile info.

3. Cross-Check It

If it’s real, you’ll see it reported in more than one place. If it’s only being shouted by one TikToker with a green screen and dramatic music? Be suspicious.

4. Look at the Details

Weird typos? ALL CAPS? Six exclamation points in one sentence? That’s not exactly the mark of high-quality journalism. Reliable posts usually have sources, quotes, or links to experts, not just “My cousin swears this happened.”

5. Investigate the Visuals

AI can fake just about anything these days. If a video or image seems off, it might be. Reverse search it using tools like Google’s “About this image” feature to see if it’s been recycled, altered, or yanked out of context.

6. Ask the Big Questions

Before you hit share, ask:

• Who made this?
• What’s their goal?
• Who wins if this spreads?
• Is this a fact, an ad, or just someone’s hot take?
• Does it even make sense?

7. Use the Tools That Are Already Out There

Sites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and browser extensions like NewsGuard can help flag fishy content. A few platforms are even stepping up with their own fact-checking tools (finally), but don’t rely on them alone.

8. Make Fact-Checking a Family Activity

Seriously—turn it into a little challenge. If your kid sees something sketchy online, tell them to bring it to you for a fact-check showdown. You’ll both learn something and build a healthy habit of questioning instead of just reacting.

Sometimes it is hard to spot misinformation...

Teaching Media Smarts at Home (Without a PowerPoint)

Start Early

Even little kids can grasp the difference between “real” and “made up.” Use simple examples like cartoon news vs. real news or silly rumors at school vs. verified info.

Narrate Your Thought Process

Say what you’re doing when you fact-check: “Hmm, this headline seems wild, let’s see if anyone else is reporting this.” Let them see how you think, not just what you believe.

Keep It Judgment-Free

Make your home a safe space for “wait… is this real?” moments. If your kid gets something wrong, don’t shame them—show them how you learned the hard way too. (We’ve all fallen for something at some point.)

Stay Curious, Not Cynical

You don’t want to raise a mini-conspiracy theorist. Teach kids to question but also to recognize legit, trustworthy sources. Show them what good information looks like, too.

Know When to Limit the Chaos

If your child is young (or just extra sensitive to online drama), don’t be afraid to use parental controls or limit access to certain platforms. Even tech execs do this with their own kids—it’s not about control, it’s about sanity.

2025 Trends You Should Know About

Less Fact-Checking on Big Platforms: Meta and others have scaled back moderation, meaning more junk gets through.

Better Fake Content Than Ever: Deepfakes aren’t just for world leaders anymore—anyone can make one with free apps.

New State Laws for Kids Online: States like California and Florida are passing rules to protect minors online, though it’s still a legal tug-of-war.

More Media Literacy in Schools: Educators are catching on that “knowing what’s real” is just as important as math.

Fact-Checking as a Game: Apps like Factitious are helping teens practice spotting fakes by turning it into a challenge.

Parents, Here's How to Stay Ahead of the Misinformation Game

Stay Updated: Sign up for parenting newsletters like Common Sense Media to keep up with trends and tips.

Talk Often: Don’t wait for a crisis to bring this up. Make it part of your normal chat about what’s happening online.

Set Boundaries: Time limits, content filters, and “no phone at dinner” rules can go a long way.

Mix Up Their Media Diet: Encourage your kids to follow a variety of credible sources, not just influencers with catchy taglines.

Be the Example: Your kids are watching you, even online. Model healthy skepticism, double-check before you post, and own up when you mess up.

What If Someone in Your Family Shares Fake Info?

It happens. No shame.

Just correct it: “Oops, turns out that wasn’t true. I deleted it—thanks to whoever pointed it out.”

Use it as a teachable moment with your kids.

Encourage your circle to double-check before they post, too—nicely, of course.

Final Thoughts: Raising Smarter Scrollers

Let’s be real: the internet’s not slowing down anytime soon. But your family doesn’t have to be at the mercy of whatever’s trending. With a few smart habits, some open conversations, and a healthy dose of curiosity, your kids can grow up confident, informed, and a little harder to fool.

So next time, something wild pops up on your feed? Pause. Breathe. Check it out before hitting “share.”

You’ve got this—and if all else fails, there’s always FactCheck.org.

Damjan