Introduction
Introduction
Every day, we scroll through news articles, social media posts, videos, and websites. But how do you know what to trust? Is everything you see online true?
In this WebQuest, you’ll become a Digital Detective — your mission is to uncover the truth behind the information we consume online and help others avoid fake or misleading content. Your final goal is to create a student-friendly “Online Information Guide” that teaches others how to verify facts, check sources, and spot fake news.
Task
By the end of this WebQuest, you will:
Investigate the difference between reliable and unreliable sources
Analyze real-life examples of fake and trustworthy content
Collaborate in groups to evaluate online information
Create a visual or digital “Online Information Guide for Teens” (poster, video, infographic, or presentation)
This guide will be presented to the class and can be shared with your school community to help others become smarter digital citizens.
Process
Follow the steps below to complete your mission:
Step 1: Learn the Basics
Watch and read the following resources:
What Is Fake News? (YouTube - 3 min)
Common Sense Education: News & Media Literacy
5 Ways to Spot Fake News (PDF Guide)
Step 2: Test Your Skills
Take this short quiz to check how well you can spot fake content:
Checkology “Check It Out” Quiz
BBC Fake News Quiz
Step 3: Work as a Team
In groups of 3–5, do the following:
Choose three sample sources (your teacher will provide or choose from a given list).
Use a checklist to evaluate each one. Ask: Who published this? Is the author credible? What sources are used? Can I verify the info?
Step 4: Create Your Product
Now it’s time to make your “Online Information Guide for Teens.”
Your guide can be:
A Canva poster or infographic
A short skit or video (2–3 mins)
A Google Slides presentation
A mini zine or brochure
Include:
At least 5 tips for evaluating online content
One real example of fake news and how to identify it
Visuals or screenshots to make it engaging
Step 5: Present Your Work
Present your guide to the class. Be prepared to answer:
“What surprised you most about what you learned?”
Resources
Here are your go-to materials:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship
https://www.canva.com/ (for posters/infographics)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zkcvbdm
Evaluation
You will be graded using this rubric:
|
Criteria |
Excellent (4) |
Good (3) |
Fair (2) |
Needs Improvement (1) |
|
Content Accuracy |
All info is accurate and well-researched |
Minor inaccuracies |
Some inaccurate info |
Mostly incorrect |
|
Creativity & Presentation |
Highly creative and engaging |
Some creativity shown |
Average presentation |
Boring or unclear |
|
Collaboration & Group Work |
All members contributed equally |
Most members participated |
Uneven participation |
One or two did all the work |
|
Clarity of Guide |
Clear tips, easy to follow, and useful |
Mostly clear |
Some confusion |
Hard to understand |
|
Use of Resources & Examples |
Used several resources well |
Used a few resources |
Used only one |
No resources used |
Conclusion
Congratulations, Digital Detectives!
You’ve learned how to evaluate online information like a pro. Now you can protect yourself and help others from falling for fake news, misinformation, and unreliable sources. Being a responsible digital citizen takes practice, but with the right tools, you are part of the solution in fighting online disinformation.