Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
Is everything we read online true?
We live in a world full of information. Every day we see news, videos, images, and opinions on social media. But we don’t always stop to think: Is this true? Can I trust it?
That’s why critical thinking and media literacy are essential skills for living in today’s digital world.
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the ability to analyse, reflect, and question what we see, hear, or read. A critical thinker asks:
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Who is saying this?
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Is there any evidence?
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What is the purpose of this message?
What is media literacy?
Media literacy means understanding how media and digital content work. It helps us to:
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Recognize reliable or unreliable sources
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Understand if images or videos are edited
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Detect when a post is designed to manipulate or mislead
A common example
Imagine you see a post saying that chocolate cures every disease. It sounds amazing, right? But if you share it without checking the facts, you’re spreading fake news.
This happens a lot when people don’t think critically before sharing.
Why is it important?
If we don’t develop these skills, we can:
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Be manipulated by false information
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Spread lies without knowing it
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Believe harmful stereotypes or false ideas
Key vocabulary
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Critical thinking – the skill of analysing and questioning
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Media literacy – understanding how media works
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Fake news – false or misleading information
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Reliable source – trustworthy origin of information
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Misinformation – incorrect or false information shared as truth
Personal reflection
Before, I used to believe everything I saw online. But now I know that not all content is true. I’ve learned that thinking before sharing is a way to protect myself and others.
Critical thinking helps me not only with English, but also with being more aware of the world.
Visual suggestion
You can include:
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A simple infographic called “How to Spot Fake News”
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Or a graphic showing questions to ask before sharing online
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ResponderBorrar