Empowering Young Minds in Today’s Digital World

• Mid-Cities (Tri-Cities students can join) – Sat, June 14 at 5:00PM – register here
• Plano (Dallas HQ students can join) – Friday, June 13 at 8:30 PM – register here

Opinion vs. Fact

In our ever changing and rapidly growing world, it is important for all people, especially our youth, to be able to distinguish the facts versus opinions. Our youth are growing up surrounded by more information and misinformation, than ever before. 

No matter how young or how old, our children are already forming opinions about the world based on what they see online, hear from their friends, hear from family members, or learn about in the classroom. It is imperative that they learn to sift through information with a lens of seeking knowledge, which is fundamental to independent and critical thinking. 

It is essential, now more than ever to teach our future leaders of tomorrow, how to think critically. Knowing the difference between a fact and an opinion, understanding bias, and learning to question sources isn’t just an academic skill, it’s a life skill. Being able to tell the difference between fact and opinion will help our youth become thoughtful, informed individuals who can navigate the digital world with confidence and integrity. 

Credible Sources

When your child is researching, whether it is for a school project or just out of curiosity, it is vital that they learn how to find and how to use credible sources. When your child begins to research, it would be beneficial to explain to them that not everything on the internet is true or reliable. Finding books or publications as credible sources may be considered to be a bit easier than identifying evidence from an online source, however this can also prove to be tricky, as information changes over time and publications written many years ago may be outdated and not as credible as they once were. 

The ultimate goal for young students is to learn how to check for accuracy, authority, and purpose,  so that they are more prepared for their academic futures.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Credibility

Information nowadays can be easily accessed with a voice command or an easy search on any platform. With tools like Google, YouTube, and Artificial Intelligence or AI platforms providing instant answers, it is more important than ever to teach kids how to think, not just what to think. While technology and AI can be incredibly useful for learning and exploration, they can also blur the line between fact, opinion, and misinformation. Not all sources are created equal, and AI, though impressive, has its limitations, and is only as reliable as the data it is trained on. Teaching children how to ask critical questions, verify sources, and get information from multiple sources can help them to become thoughtful, confident, responsible users of technology who can navigate this increasingly complex and rapidly growing digital world.

Ethical Viewpoint 

As children grow and begin to encounter diverse perspectives, it is essential that they understand the value of respecting others’ opinions, even when they disagree. Teaching kids to listen with empathy and consider different perspectives with assist them in building an emotional intelligence and ethical awareness. Learning how to engage in challenging discussions is a skill that is built over time, but happens with practice. 

The principle of pluralism, a core value in the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community, encourages us to appreciate diversity and recognize that strength lies in our differences. By engaging in open conversations, parents can help their children develop the ability to disagree respectfully, to respond thoughtfully and grow into compassionate global citizens.

The Power of Unplugging: What is too much information?

In an age where information is available 24/7, it’s easy for children to feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, or even disconnected from the real world—ironically, by being too connected. While access to information can spark curiosity and learning, too much exposure without boundaries can lead to confusion, anxiety, and burnout. As parents, helping kids find a healthy balance between staying informed and staying grounded is key to their well-being.