It is unbelievable that you are already in the 3rd grade, and I love it when I hear your teachers ask, “where is your evidence.” They ask that question to help you begin to understand the difference between fact and fiction. As you progress in school, you will be using the internet more and more to find that “evidence.” The internet is an outlet filled with endless amounts of information, some designed for nefarious reasons. I want nothing more for you than to be better informed and equipped to navigate this ever-changing landscape. I offer you what I have learned along the way that helped guide me through the daily bombardment of information.
One of the best pieces of advice I retained during my education journey was from Professor Gillmor. In his lecture on “Media Literacy: Principles for Consumers.” I learned, first and foremost, a healthy dose of skepticism is ideal. There is nothing wrong with drawing on your elementary school education and ask “where is the evidence.” Secondly, use judgment when seeing or hearing information. It is okay to trust your gut if it does not seem right. Third, conduct research to find the answers. There are credible sources out there, and gathering a list of reliable resources makes for quick analysis. Next, keep an open mind. Try not to let other’s biases influence your thinking and recognize your own bias too. Better yet, seek opposing views to better understand another side. Lastly, know the techniques employed in the media to persuade and manipulate information. The techniques will only get better as time goes on, and learning their tactics will be an ongoing process. If you forget this advice, try Googling S.I.F.T. Method. This method is another excellent way to evaluate information and sources.
I have one other thing I would like to caution you about that I did not fully understand. When social media started, I quickly jumped on the bandwagon without realizing I freely gave away vital personal information. Today, I scramble to deploy countermeasures to limit that information and fear it may be too late. Please consider your security and be discerning with what you “share” online. There are countless examples of everyday people being cyberbullied due to human-rights privacy breaches that have led to devastating outcomes. You can stay safe online by checking your privacy settings on your devices and online profiles. Use a web browser that does not track your activity and encrypt your data among all your devices. As Professor Gillmor shared with me, “never assume you are entirely secure online.”
Know I love you, and I strive every day to ensure you do not repeat the same mistakes I did growing up. I know and believe you will be better prepared to traverse the world wide web.
With all my love, Mom
