Credit: Communicate Health
In today’s digital world, children are bombarded with messages, videos, and memes every single day. Some of them are helpful, some are harmless fun—but others can be misleading, manipulative, or even dangerous.
That’s where prebunking comes in.
Unlike debunking, which happens after misinformation has already been believed or spread, prebunking is about preparing your child in advance—teaching them to recognise tricks and tactics so they’re less likely to fall for false information in the first place.
Think of it like a “mental vaccine.” Just as we teach our children to wash their hands before eating, prebunking equips them with healthy habits for spotting fake or harmful online content.
Why Prebunking Matters for Parents
- It’s proactive – Your child learns the warning signs before encountering misinformation.
- It builds critical thinking – Instead of just saying “don’t believe that,” you’re showing how and why some content is designed to mislead.
- It gives children agency – They learn to pause, reflect, and make their own informed choices online.
- It reduces fear – Conversations become about awareness, not scaremongering.
Prebunking Tactics to Teach Your Child
Here are some common tricks used online and how to prebunk them:
- Emotional Manipulation – Posts that try to make you feel shocked, angry, or scared so you’ll share them quickly.
- False Experts – People pretending to be an authority without real evidence or qualifications.
- Fake Proof – Edited photos, made-up quotes, or misleading statistics.
- Echo Chambers – Seeing the same claim repeated so often it feels true, even if it isn’t.
Conversation Scripts You Can Use
Here are simple, age-appropriate scripts to help you prebunk with your child.
For younger children (ages 7–11)
Parent: “Sometimes people make videos or posts online that look real but aren’t. They might try to trick us by making it sound exciting or scary. If you see something like that, what could you do?”
Child: “Ask you?”
Parent: “Exactly. We can check it together before you believe it or share it.”
For tweens and early teens (ages 11–14)
Parent: “You know how magicians use tricks to fool people? Online, some posts use tricks too. For example, they might show only part of a story, or make you feel angry so you’ll share it fast. If you spot that happening, what could it mean?”
Teen: “That they’re trying to manipulate me?”
Parent: “Yes, and noticing it means you’re less likely to be fooled.”
For older teens (ages 15–18)
Parent: “Misinformation often spreads because it pushes strong emotions or comes from someone pretending to be an expert. Before believing or sharing something, it’s useful to ask: Who made this? Why are they posting it? Can I check it somewhere else? What do you think of those questions?”
Teen: “Yeah, it makes you think twice before just sharing it.”
Parent: “Exactly. It puts you in charge, not the algorithm.”
Tips for Everyday Prebunking
Make it part of daily life – chat casually when you come across memes, adverts, or trending stories.
Praise effort, not just results – “I like the way you questioned that” builds confidence.
Model it yourself – show your child how you pause before sharing.
Keep it non-judgmental – make it safe for your child to bring you things they’re unsure about.
Final Thoughts
Prebunking is about building resilience, not suspicion. By teaching children to spot the tricks before they fall for them, you’re helping them navigate the digital jungle with confidence, independence, and safety.
