Easy Media Literacy for Moms: How to Fact-Check Viral Posts Fast

Send Caitlin a Text!With all that’s going on in our world, you likely want to take action. But you can’t act wisely if you’re acting on bad information.If you've ever seen a viral post that spiked your blood pressure and wondered, “Wait, is this even real?”—this episode is for you.Caitlin and Ariella Monti (author, former journalist, and resident media studies expert) break down practical media literacy you can use between school drop-off and dinner. No theory. Just fast checks that keep you from getting played. Because outrage is easy. But truth is power.Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!—You Need This Episode If...You've shared something online and later realized it was fakeYou see family members spreading misinformation and don't know how to respondYou want to teach your kids to think critically about what they see onlineYou're tired of rage bait designed to make you angryYou need a simple framework for fact-checking without losing your whole evening—What You'll GetThe key question – "Do I have more feelings than facts about this?" (Use it every time you see something inflammatory)Misinformation vs. disinformation – Why the difference matters and how to spot eachCommon disinformation tactics:Recycled images with new captionsCropped photos to inflate crowd sizesAI-generated images (how to spot warped patterns, impossible hands, too-smooth faces)Staged or manipulated scenesFast verification workflow:Check for named sourcesReverse image searchSearch "[event] + fact check" with recent datesLook for multiple angles/photos from the same eventSource evaluation – Which outlets to trust (AP, Reuters, NPR, BBC, government pages) and red flags to watch forHow to connect this to civic engagement – Writing better emails to reps with actual receipts—Your HostsCaitlin is a former middle school teacher, current mom, and someone who regularly talks herself down from rage bait.Ariella Monti is an author (Roots in Ink, Bound by Ink), a former journalist, holds a degree in media studies, and once almost retweeted an Onion article because she was too tired to recognize it was satire.—Sources & MentionsFull list in the blog post for this episode!Media Literacy Art Education: Logos, Culture, Jamming, and Activism | JSTORWHAT is Media Literacy and HOW Can Simple Shifts Center It? | PBSTeen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN), MediaWise | Poynter.orgWelcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this.  Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. Love you, mean it. Support the showVisit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.