An image or video can be edited or made with AI and still look real. Before believing or sharing it, check who made it, where else it appears and whether it makes sense.
For parents: a one-page guide.
Recall the class rules and the questions about ads. Think, then open.
Pause and ask a grown-up you trust.
Who made it, and what do they want from me?
Offer a short action and an example of when to use it.
In a made-up workshop, a group of shapes receives an invitation to an exhibition. It shows a shiny cube above a table. Underneath it says: “The cube flies by itself! Come and see!” Triangle wants to tell everyone at once. Circle pauses: “Let’s first find out what we are looking at.”
They look for the person who made the picture. There is no creator’s name and no link to an exhibition. Square finds the same invitation on another noticeboard. “Confirmation!” it says. Circle asks: “Is that a new account, or just another copy of the same invitation?”
Then they notice a shadow pointing towards the drawn sun. Triangle decides: “It must be fake!” The others suggest taking time before giving that answer too. Perhaps it is a drawing for a story, or part of a larger scene. They want to see the whole invitation and hear its creator’s explanation.
At last they find a note in the imaginary catalogue: “Design for a fantasy exhibition, not an invitation to an event.” The shapes decide to explain exactly that. Without the note, they would have left the question open. “I don’t know yet” is an answer that lets them wait.
The story and characters are fictional.
Take the invitation from the story: instead of “it flies!” or “fake!”, try this check.
For now: “I have no confirmation, so I won’t share this as a real event.” Use an odd detail to begin checking, not to deliver a verdict.
All scenes are our own fictional drawings, not photos of events. This activity works offline, sends nothing and saves nothing. No points or timer.
Look at each card. What would you check first: the drawing, the creator or the promise? Make a prediction to yourself.
Made-up post: “The cube is flying!” No author or place is given.
The shadow points towards the sun in our drawing — a reason to ask questions. Ask for the original and the creator’s explanation; do not decide from the shadow alone.
The shadow points towards the sun in our drawing — a reason to ask questions. Ask for the original and the creator’s explanation; do not decide from the shadow alone.
Made-up drawing: “The robot builds on its own.” No link to its creator.
We drew the unusual hand deliberately. Use it as a clue to investigate, rather than a reliable AI test. Look for the creator and their purpose.
We drew the unusual hand deliberately. Use it as a clue to investigate, rather than a reliable AI test. Look for the creator and their purpose.
A made-up video promises: “This box gives you everything instantly!” No source is named.
The promise sounds too good to be true and has no source. Ask for the full video, its creator and independent confirmation before sharing.
The promise sounds too good to be true and has no source. Ask for the full video, its creator and independent confirmation before sharing.
If we fix the odd detail, would you share straight away? Press the button, then compare with your prediction.
Still check the creator, where else it appears and whether the claim makes sense. A fixed detail is not confirmation. If you cannot verify it, leave it as “I don’t know yet” and hold off sharing.
Play “Two sources”: use newspaper or magazine cuttings with permission, or choose a family story about an object or event without personal details.
Write “My detector” on a paper card for a younger sibling or classmate.
Leave space for a drawing beside each question. Use the invitation from the story to explain how to use the card. Add: “When I don’t know, I wait and ask.” Leave out personal details.
Before believing or sharing, I ask: who, where else and does it make sense? I can take time before deciding.
1. An odd shadow. What do you choose?
2. The same picture appears elsewhere. What do you ask?
3. You cannot check a video. What do you do?
If something scares you, tell a grown-up you trust.
Do you still have a question? Write it here. It goes to your parent, not to strangers. Your parent confirms their e-mail first.
The form is loading… If it does not appear, write your question on paper and show it to a parent or teacher.
