How do I teach my child to think critically about online information they see?

The mind that believes everything is as vulnerable as the mind that believes nothing. Patanjali would say: build discernment through practice. Don't lecture children about what to believe. Instead, model the questions you want them to ask. When you see a claim online, say it out loud: Who is saying this? What are they trying to convince me of? What might they gain if I believe it? What information am I missing? These questions become habits. Children absorb how you think far more than what you tell them to think. Show skepticism toward sources you respect. Show openness to ideas that challenge you. Let them see you change your mind when presented with better evidence. This teaches that thinking is a muscle, not a fixed position. Start young with simple observations—why does this ad look the way it does? Who chose these colors? Then let complexity grow naturally. The goal isn't to make them cynical; it's to make them thoughtful. That distinction matters enormously.