Fact-Checking Tools for Teens and Tweens

Claims of "fake news" get thrown around regularly in the media. But how do you know if you're reading a credible news source or a website that's been compromised by a partisan agenda? Or even just satirical news that's gone viral? That's where fact-checking comes in. Sites that let kids verify the information they see in news stories, videos, and other sources are crucial to separate fact from fiction. And seeing how different credible news sources present information can help kids idenitfy bias. To get a snapshot of some of these sites, check out this video. For links to other sources, check out this list for the Best News Sources for Kids.

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OpenSecrets.org Poster Image
WEBSITE

OpenSecrets.org

age 8+

Visuals, snappy text explain political spending details.

URL: https://www.opensecrets.org (2017)
FactCheck.org Poster Image
WEBSITE

FactCheck.org

age 13+

Excellent, unbiased political site goes in deep.

URL: http://www.factcheck.org (2008)
Ground News Poster Image
APP

Ground News

age 13+

Compare coverage of current events and control for bias.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2020)
PolitiFact Poster Image
WEBSITE

PolitiFact

age 13+

Find out who's telling the truth in politics.

URL: http://www.politifact.com/ (2015)
Poynter Poster Image
WEBSITE

Poynter

age 13+

News-analysis site focuses on accuracy, truth in stories.

URL: http://www.poynter.org (2017)
Sift - News Therapy Poster Image
APP

Sift - News Therapy

age 13+

Fun, interactive, thorough way to explore current topics.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2019)
Winno - Just the Facts Poster Image
APP

Winno - Just the Facts

age 14+

Current events curated by humans; cultivates comparison.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2019)
Abridge News Poster Image
APP

Abridge News

age 15+

Bias-battling news platform is small but clever.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2020)
Snopes Poster Image
WEBSITE

Snopes

age 15+

Gruesome tales abound on this debunker of urban myths.

URL: http://www.snopes.com (2009)
A Starting Point Poster Image
APP

A Starting Point

age 16+

Conversation starter has balanced views, some mature topics.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2020)