Question: I wonder where my grandchildren are getting their news from. I have never ever seen them read a newspaper or watch the news on TV. However, they do always have an electronic device in their hands. -- Puzzled
Answer: You have observed the answer to your question. Your grandchildren are getting the news from those electronic devices you always see in their hands. They are more than likely getting the news from social media, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. According to Schools.com, the way that people -- especially young people -- consume information has changed dramatically. When there is a breaking news story, people are turning to Facebook instead of CNN. This is the way people learned of Osama bin Laden's death and the birth of Prince George.
There is a big downside to using social media as a breaking news source. Schools.com states that almost 50 percent of this news may be false information. With almost anyone able to post a news story, this has often resulted in lower quality news reporting. We urge students to check what they read as breaking news with a trusted news source.