Children often find information quickly online, but knowing whether that information is suitable for schoolwork is a separate skill. Parents can help by teaching children a simple process for checking sources before using them.

Start by asking who created the information. Is the author, organisation or publisher clearly identified? Then consider why the information was produced. A source designed to sell something may have a different purpose from an educational or research resource.

Next, check when the information was published or updated. The importance of the date depends on the subject, but students should understand that information can change. Parents can also encourage children to look for supporting evidence and compare important claims with other reliable sources.

Reading beyond the headline is another useful habit. Headlines and search snippets can simplify or misrepresent the full content. Encourage children to open the source, read relevant sections and decide whether it actually answers their research question.

Parents do not need to judge every source for their child. Instead, ask questions such as, “Who made this?”, “What evidence is provided?” and “Can we confirm this somewhere else?”

Practising this process during everyday searches can make source evaluation feel natural. Over time, children can become more confident at deciding which information deserves a place in their school projects.