With how much time kids spend on computers and smartphones, it's easy to assume that they hold the information the read and ingest in very high regard.
Well, according to The New York Times, that isn't the case at all.
A recent study has found that kids are actually more likely to believe a complete stranger than they are to believe something they read online.
Justin Worsham of The Dad Podcast really isn't that surprised by the findings.
"I find it fascinating that we are so worried as parents about our kids spending too much time in front of a screen only to find that they still trust a stranger more than the Internet. But, as we have said on the show, it also shows how little a substitute the screen is for human interactions."
On a different note, are you ever concerned that your kids are trying to manipulate you?
It turns out that they may have learned it from you...
Psychology Today explains that many parents actually manipulate their own children much more often than they realize.
"I have to admit that I could easily fit into a couple of those examples. But that has often been the case in my parenting research. I find something that sounds close to who I am or what I have done, and suddenly I am worse than the mom in Mommy Dearest yelling “NO WIRE HANGERS!” It is hard to navigate the world of parental learning without feeling like you are failing your kid in some way. Perhaps the only reason I feel this way is because I was “hurt” as a kid. This is why I chose to seek out the info, but I remind myself that the ultimate goal isn’t for my kids to be happy all the time, but rather to understand compassion, have a work ethic, and know the importance of being involved in the community."
To hear more of Justin's take on kids using the Internet, child manipulation, and other parenting topics, you can check out all of his stuff at The Dad Podcast.