Truth or Trick?

Sample trail: Source Scouts (ages 6–8)

Check makers, dates, dramatic headlines and more than one source.

1. Clue 1. What is a strong first question about an online claim? Options: Who made this message?, What colour is my case?, Is my battery full?

   Answer: Who made this message? Checking the source and purpose helps us judge whether information deserves trust. Source: UNESCO · Checking source, accuracy and purpose

2. Clue 2. Does a giant “WOW!!!” headline prove a story is true? Options: No—big words are not evidence; Yes—large letters prove facts.

   Answer: No—big words are not evidence. A dramatic headline can grab attention, but reliability comes from checking sources, accuracy and purpose. Source: UNESCO · Checking source, accuracy and purpose

3. Clue 3. Which three clues help you check a page? Options: Who wrote it, When it was published, What evidence it gives, How many emojis it uses.

   Answer: Author, date and evidence. A source check looks at who created the information, when, and what supports the claim. Source: UNESCO · Checking source, accuracy and purpose

4. Clue 4. One glowing review says a toy is perfect. What is the stronger check? Options: Compare several trustworthy sources; Trust the one review only; Count the star shapes.

   Answer: Compare several trustworthy sources. The FTC recommends looking at a variety of sources, including impartial expert reviews. Source: US Federal Trade Commission · How to evaluate online reviews

5. Clue 5. Put the source-scout steps in order: Compare with another reliable source; Pause before sharing; Find who made it and why; Decide what the evidence supports.

   Answer: Pause, find the source, compare, decide. Media literacy means checking source, credibility, accuracy and purpose before passing a claim on. Source: UNESCO · Checking source, accuracy and purpose

The interactive quiz above also has trails for ages 3–5 and 9–11, plus more free Smart Internet and India quizzes—no sign-in required.