Computing · Stage 5

Misinformation: Check Before Sharing

Online life — stop, check with a trusted source, and verify a claim is true before you share or forward it

✦ Computing📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start

I can stop and verify before I share.

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Kavi and the "Share This Now!" Message

A message landed in Kavi's feed, forwarded from a friend: "⚠️ SHARE THIS NOW before it's deleted — a new candy makes kids super-smart!" Kavi's wing hovered over the share button. "Everyone should know this!" But Grandma Owl gently lowered the wing. "Wait, little one. Where did this come from? Who made it? Does any source you trust say it's true?" Kavi looked again — no name, no proof, just a shout to share fast. "That rush is the clue," Grandma said. "Misinformation is false news that spreads because people share it before they check. A true fact doesn't need to scare you or hurry you." Kavi tilted. "So what do I do?" Grandma smiled. "You stop. You check who made it and look for a source you trust. And you only share once you've verified it's true. When you can't check it, you don't share it — because sharing something false is how the trick wins."

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What your child will learn

1When should you STOP before sharing?Misinformation is false news that spreads because people share it before they check. It gives itself away with signs. When you feel one of these, that's the moment to slow down. Tap each sign to see why.

2Stop → Check → Verify → then decideBefore you share anything surprising, run this simple routine in order. Tap each step to hear it.

3A source worth trusting, and one that isn't — yetNot every source is proof. Whether a claim is ready to believe depends on where it came from. Tap each card to compare.

4Share it now, or stop and check?Some things are checked and safe to share. Others need you to stop and verify first. Tap the right box for each one.

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A peek inside

Kavi asks, "What does it mean to verify something before I share it?"

to verify is to check it is true using a source you can trust, before you pass it on

Try this at home: To ____ something means to check it is true before you share it.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Computing · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.