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Teaching critical thinking about facts, opinions and influence online
This RSE & PSHE video introduces teachers to how online content can influence thoughts, beliefs and opinions. It introduces the important distinction between facts and opinions, explaining that facts can be checked using evidence, while opinions are personal beliefs or judgements. The video explores how opinions online are not always clearly labelled and can sometimes be presented in ways that make them seem factual or widely accepted, even when there is little evidence to support them.
The video provides guidance on developing pupils’ critical thinking skills when engaging with online content. Teachers are encouraged to explore how repeated messages across videos, gaming chats, social media and comment sections can make ideas feel familiar and believable over time. The video highlights that online content can influence views in both positive and negative ways, from encouraging creativity and sharing useful information to promoting stereotypes, unfair judgements or misleading claims. Teachers are guided to help pupils evaluate evidence, distinguish between fact and opinion and recognise that popularity does not always mean accuracy. Throughout, the focus is on helping pupils question what they encounter online and make informed judgements about the content they see.
This video is part of Kapow Primary’s RSE & PSHE KS2 videos, which enable teachers and pupils to explore growth and change and help develop personal, social and emotional skills, as well as an understanding of relationships and health education.
See more of our Year 5 RSE & PSHE scheme of work.
