Critical thinking is the ability to thoughtfully analyze information and consider different perspectives before forming a conclusion. It includes a variety of skills that help us decipher, evaluate, and understand the information that we read, see, hear, and think. These skills allow young people to ask questions, look for evidence, and think carefully about the messages they encounter.
Critical thinking is more important than ever for today’s youth.
Young people today are surrounded by information, especially online. It’s estimated that teens spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media, during which they encounter messages from friends, influencers, news outlets, companies, and many others. With so much information coming from so many sources, it’s important to help young people learn to question, interpret, and evaluate the claims they encounter both online and offline.
Strong critical thinking skills support communication, empathy, and problem-solving, while helping youth recognize misleading information and understand different perspectives. Caring adults can help build skills at any age. Check out the tips below to start the conversation!
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