Social Media Simulator

Research from UC Berkeley (Orticio et al., 2024) shows that controlled exposure to misinformation helps kids become more diligent fact-checkers. Banning kids from social media entirely may not be the best way to prepare them for their online future. However, some parents are, very understandably, hesitant to allow their kids to get on social media. This mock social media feed lets children develop the critical thinking skills they need to rationally navigate social media in a safe and controlled environment.

The social media simulator features a variety of posts designed to teach kids how to spot common misinformation tactics. These include examples of logical fallacies, fear-mongering, pseudo-psychology, clickbait, sensationalized headlines, and AI-generated images. After each post, there’s a short explanation reel that breaks down why the content is misleading and how to identify similar posts in the future.

Yes, it is safe for kids to explore the simulator independently. Each problematic post is followed by a short lesson. However, I encourage turning it into a family or classroom activity. The next FAQs have some suggestions on how to do this.

Although kids can explore the simulator on their own, parents can turn this into a family activity. Sit down with your child and go through the feed together, discussing claims that seem suspicious or exaggerated. Ask questions like, “What makes this headline misleading?” or “Why do you think someone would post something like this?” By getting involved, you’ll not only help your child learn but also open up important conversations about online safety and responsible digital citizenship. When your kids are old enough to get on real social media, have regular conversations about it, asking questions like: “Did you see any misleading claims today?”

While teachers can allow students to explore the simulator independently, they can also use it for classroom activities. For example, you could analyze posts as a group. To take it a step further, have students create their own posts using clickbait or logical fallacies, then scrutinize each other’s posts. You could even turn it into a “misinformation scavenger hunt” where students find or create examples of specific tactics.

No, but I may add this feature in the future.